Description:TECHNICAL FIELD

[001] The present disclosure generally relates washing machines and more particularly to washing machine with detergent dispenser tray for enhancing pre-mixing of detergent.

BACKGROUND

[002] Generally, a washing machine comprises a tub which seals in water for washing and a drum is rotatably disposed within the tub, and the drum containing the laundry is rotated inside the tub, by means of an electric motor, for performing washing of the laundry. Advanced washing machines including automatic and semi-automatic washing machines come in various sensors, configurations, spin cycles, etc., for enhancing the efficiency of washing of the laundry.

[003] In addition to the above-mentioned components, the washing machine further comprises a detergent feeding device, generally known as a detergent tray, which is designed to feed the detergent to the tub for use in washing the laundry. The detergent feeding device comprises a detergent housing mounted in a main body of the washing machine and a detergent receiving case movably inserted in the detergent housing to protrude from the main body upon movement thereof. The detergent receiving case internally defines a detergent receiving region in which detergent is received. In addition, a water inlet is provided to the detergent feeding device for mixing the detergent with the water before feeding the detergent to the drum.

[004] In the conventional detergent feeding devices, the detergent receiving case comprises one or more compartments for receiving detergent and other cleaning agents, and the water from the water inlet is directly poured on to the detergent and other cleaning agents during the washing cycle and the water takes the detergent and other cleaning agents to the drum for washing. Hence, the conventional detergent feed devices often fail to completely mix the detergent with the water before feeding it to the drum and hence the detergent often remains in the detergent receiving case. In addition, if the mixing is not proper, detergent particles often stick to the cloths and are often observed on the cloths.

BRIEF SUMMARY

[005] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simple manner that is further described in the detailed description of the disclosure. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the subject matter nor is it intended for determining the scope of the disclosure.

[006] Embodiments of the present disclosure discloses a washing machine with detergent dispenser tray for enhancing pre-mixing of detergent. washing machine comprises a detergent tray, a shower tray arranged on top of the detergent tray, comprising a plurality of compartments, each compartment having a plurality of holes, a magnetic valve coupled to the shower tray, wherein water flowing through the magnetic valve is split into a plurality of portions and fed respectively through the plurality of compartments, characterized in that, the at least one compartment comprises an impeller for spraying the corresponding portion of the water into the detergent tray, and the at least one compartment comprises a venturi cup for spraying the corresponding portion of the water into the detergent tray. The venturi cup reduces the surface tension of the water by mixing air with the water.

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

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[008] The disclosed method and system will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying figures in which:
[009] Figure 1A shows an exemplary front washing machine having a detergent tray and a shower tray for premixing of detergent in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0010] Figure 1B shows an exemplary top load washing machine having a detergent tray and a shower tray for premixing of detergent in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0011] Figure 2A shows a side view of the detergent dispenser device;
[0012] Figure 2B shows a schematic view of the detergent dispenser device;
[0013] Figure 3A & 3B shows a back view and bottom view of the shower tray;
[0014] Figure 4 shows an exemplary shower tray comprising two impellers and a venturi cup in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0015] Figure 5A shows a venturi cup for reducing the surface tension of the water in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0016] Figure 5B shows an exploded view of the venturi cup;
[0017] Figure 6A, 6B and 6C shows a top view, side view and sectional view of the venturi cup;
[0018] Figure 6D shows a cross-sectional view of the venturi cup;
[0019] Figure 8A shows an arrangement of the shower tray in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0020] Figure 8B shows deflecting member with rollers in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0021] Figure 9 shows a front view of an exemplary shower tray.
[0022] Further, persons skilled in the art to which this disclosure belongs will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and may not have been necessarily drawn to scale. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the joining ring and one or more components of the bearing assembly may have been represented in the figures by conventional symbols, and the figures may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the figures with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the figures and specific language will be used to describe them. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Such alterations and further modifications to the disclosure, and such further applications of the principles of the disclosure as described herein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the disclosure relates are deemed to be a part of this disclosure.

[0024] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory of the disclosure and are not intended to be restrictive thereof.

[0025] In the present disclosure, relational terms such as first and second, and the like, may be used to distinguish one entity from the other, without necessarily implying any actual relationship or order between such entities.

[0026] The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process or method that comprises a list of steps does not include only those steps but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such a process or a method. Similarly, one or more elements or structures or components preceded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements, other structures, other components, additional devices, additional elements, additional structures, or additional components. Appearances of the phrase “in an embodiment”, “in another embodiment” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

[0027] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. The components, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

[0028] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying figures.

[0029] Embodiments of the present disclosure discloses a washing machine comprising a detergent tray and a shower tray assembled for premixing of detergent with water in the detergent tray. In one embodiment, a surface tension of the water is reduced by mixing air with the water and then the water is poured on to the detergent stored in the detergent tray to produce foam inside detergent tray. This mixes the water and the detergent and feeds the mixture to the drum of the washing machine. In one embodiment, the shower tray arranged on top of the detergent tray and comprises a plurality of compartments, each compartment having a plurality of holes. A magnetic valve is coupled to the shower tray, wherein water flowing through the magnetic valve is split into a plurality of portions and fed respectively through the plurality of compartments of the shower tray. The at least one compartment comprises an impeller for spraying the corresponding portion of the water into the detergent tray and the at least one compartment comprises a venturi cup for spraying the corresponding portion of the water into the detergent tray. The venture cup reduced the surface tension of the water and helps in forming foam inside the detergent tray. Further, the impeller rotates when the water strikes the blades of the impeller and hence properly distributes the water inside the detergent tray by spraying the water in axial and radial directions.

[0030] Figure 1A shows an exemplary front washing machine having a detergent tray and a shower tray for premixing of detergent in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 1B shows an exemplary top load washing machine having a detergent tray and a shower tray for premixing of detergent in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring both Figure 1A & 1B, the washing machine 100 comprises a detergent tray 105 and a shower tray 110, wherein the shower tray 110 reduces the surface tension of the water and the water is sprayed on a detergent stored in the detergent tray 105 for producing the foam. It is to be noted that the detergent tray 105 and the shower tray 110 may be collectively referred to as detergent dispenser device, and hereafter both are collectively referred to as detergent dispenser device for the ease of explanation and understating. Further it is to be noted that the other components of the washing machine (which are not within the scope of this disclosure) are not shown or explained.

[0031] Figure 2A shows a side view of the detergent dispenser device. Figure 2B shows a schematic view of the detergent dispenser device. As shown, the shower tray 110 arranged on top of the detergent tray 105. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a magnetic valve 205 is coupled to the shower tray 105 as shown in Figure 2A. As well known in the art, the magnetic valve 205 is electrically controlled for opening and closing the valve, and hence for feeding the water to the shower tray 110. It is to be noted that any type of valves (which are generally used in the washing machines) may be used for regulating the flow of water to the shower tray 110. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the shower tray 110 receives the water from the magnetic valve 205 and reduces the surface tension of the water by mixing air, and then sprays the water (as shown by the dotted lines) on detergent 210 stored in the detergent tray 105.

[0032] Figure 3A & 3B shows a back view and bottom view of the shower tray. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the the shower tray 110 comprises a plurality of compartments and each compartment comprises a plurality of holes. Referring to Figure 3A & 3B, the shower tray 110 comprises three compartments 305, 310 and 315 formed by dividers 320 and 325, for example. In one embodiment, the water flowing through the magnetic valve 205 is split into the plurality of portions and fed respectively through the plurality of compartments. In the shower tray 110 shown in Figure 3A and 3B, the water flowing through the magnetic valve 205 is split into three portions (as shown by the white dotted lines) and fed through the three compartments 305, 310 and 315. Hence, water guides (dividers 320 and 325) are designed in such a way that the flow rate from magnetic valve 205 is divided into three sections to cover whole area of the detergent tray 105 so that there is no residue of detergent 210 inside detergent tray 105.

[0033] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, each compartment comprises a plurality of holes. Referring to Figure 3A & 3B, the compartments 305, 310 and 315 comprises a plurality of holes 320 for dispensing the water entering the respective compartments 305, 310 and 315. It is to be noted that the number of holes in each compartment may vary and diameter of the holes are suitably designed based on the area of the compartments. For example, the compartment 305 may have six holes, however, the compartments 310 and 315 may have eight and ten holes respectively.

[0034] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, at least one compartment among the plurality of compartments comprises an impeller for spraying the corresponding portion of the water into the detergent tray 105 and at least one compartment comprises a venturi cup for spraying the corresponding portion of the water into the detergent tray 105. That is, one impeller in fixed at the bottom surface of at least one compartment and at least one venturi cup in fixed at the bottom surface of the at least one compartment. In one embodiment, the venture cup reduces the surface tension of the water and helps in forming foam inside the detergent tray 105. Further, the impeller rotates when the water strikes the blades of the impeller and hence properly distributes the water inside the detergent tray 105 by spraying the water in axial and radial directions.

[0035] Figure 4 shows an exemplary shower tray comprising two impellers and a venturi cup in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the shower tray 110 comprises two impellers 405 and 415 attached to the bottom portion of the two compartments 305 and 315 and comprises one venturi cup 410 attached to the bottom portion of the compartment 310. In one embodiment, the impellers 405 and 415 are configured for directing the corresponding portion of water (that is water flowing into the compartments 305 and 315) into the detergent tray 105 in axial and radial directions. Further, the venturi cup 410 mixes the corresponding portion of water (that is water flowing into the compartment 315) with air and feeds the air-water mixture into the detergent tray 105.

[0036] Figure 5A shows a venturi cup for reducing the surface tension of the water in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 5B shows an exploded view of the venturi cup. As shown, the venturi cup 410 comprises a convergent plate 505, a divergent plate 510, a separator 515, and an outlet cup 520. The divergent plate 510 is disposed below the convergent plate 505, the separator 515 is disposed below the divergent plate 510 and the convergent plate 505, the divergent plate 510 and the separator 515 are disposed inside the outlet cup 520 as shown. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the outlet cup 520 comprises one or more air inlets 525 on the wall and such air inlets 525 are positioned between the convergent plate 505 and the divergent plate 510.

[0037] Figure 6A, 6B and 6C shows a top view, side view and sectional view of the venturi cup. As shown, the convergent plate 505 comprises a plurality of holes 605, wherein the plurality of holes 605 are formed to converge the water entering the venturi cup thereby increasing the velocity of the water. The number of holes and the diameter of the holes are designed based on the size of the detergent dispenser device and other requirements such water velocity.

[0038] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the divergent plate 510 comprises a plurality of holes 610, wherein the plurality of holes 610 are formed to diverge the water entering from the converging plate 505. Such holes are formed for increasing the water pressure. The number of holes and the diameter of the holes are designed based on the size of the detergent dispenser device and other requirements such water pressure. The pressurized water then falls on the separator 515. In one embodiment, the separator 515 comprises a plurality of holes 615 for producing fine particles of water which will be fed to the detergent tray 105 through one or more holes 620 of the the outlet cup 520. As shown, the bottom portion of the outlet cup 520 comprises the plurality of holes 620. The number and the diameter of the holes on the separator 615 are designed to produce fine particle when a fluid passes through this. Furthermore, sufficient holes are provided on the separator 515 and the outlet cup 520 to avoid backflow. In one embodiment, hexagonal holes are formed on the outlet cup 520.

[0039] Figure 6D shows a cross-sectional view of the venturi cup. As shown, the convergent plate 505, the divergent plate 510 and the separator 515 are disposed inside the outlet cup 520. In one embodiment, the convergent angle of the holes 605 on the convergent plate is 23 degrees and the divergence angle of the holes 610 on the divergent plate is 9 degrees. However, the angle may be modified based on the requirement.

[0040] As described, divergent plate 510, the convergent plate 505, and the separator 515 are disposed inside the outlet cup 520, and the outlet cup 520 comprises the one or more air inlets 525 on the wall. In one embodiment, the divergent plate 510 is positioned above the one or more air inlets 525 and the convergent plate 505 is positioned below the one or more air inlets 525. In other words, the outlet cup 520 comprises the one or more air inlets 525 on the wall and such inlets are positioned between the convergent plate 505 and divergent plate. Hence, the portion of the water entering the compartment 310 enters the venturi cup 410, passes through the plurality of holes 605 on the divergent plate 510, thereby increasing the velocity of the water. Due to increase in the velocity of water while passing from the convergent plate 505, a drop in pressure is created and the suction of air starts through the one or more air inlets 525 positioned between the convergent plate 505 and the divergent plate 510. Hence the air mixes with the water and reduces the surface tension, and the mixture of air and water passes through the divergent plate 510, wherein the divergent plate 510 increases the pressure. Then the mixture of air and water is passed through the plurality of holes of the separator 515 and the plurality of holes 620 of the outlet cup 520 to form fine particles of the water and air mixture. Then the particles fall on the detergent stored in the detergent tray 105 and this helps in creating turbulence inside detergent tray 105 and enhances mixing of detergent and the water and air mixture. It is to be noted that the venturi cup 410 may work without the separator 515. In such an implementation, the holes 620 on the outlet cup 520 produce air-water mixture particles.

[0041] As described, through the convergent and divergent plates, the air mixes with water and this reduces the surface tension of the water. The air and water mixture is then delivered to the detergent tray where the air and water mixture is mixed with the detergent to form foam. The foam is then fed to the drum for washing the laundry.

[0042] As described, the at least one compartment comprises a venturi cup for spraying the corresponding portion of the water into the detergent tray 105 and the at least one compartment among the plurality of compartments comprises an impeller for spraying the corresponding portion of the water into the detergent tray 105. Referring to Figure 4, the shower tray 110 comprises two impellers 405 and 415 attached to the bottom portion of the two compartments 305 and 315. Figure 7A shows an exemplary impeller. When the water strikes blades 705 of the impeller 405, the impeller 405 rotates and sprays the water into the detergent tray 105 in axial and radial directions. Hence the impeller 405 enables better water distribution inside the detergent tray 105 for mixing and removing the detergent. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the impeller 405 is attached to the bottom of the shower tray 110 using a snap joint. Figure 7B shows an exemplary snap joint for fixing the impeller to the bottom of the shower tray.

[0043] As described, the detergent dispensing device disclosed in the present disclosure comprises the detergent tray 105 and the shower tray 110 and a magnetic valve 205, wherein the shower tray 110 comprises the plurality of compartments 305, 310 and 315, each compartment having a plurality of holes 320. The at least one compartment comprises the impeller 405 and the at least one compartment comprises a venturi cup 410. The water flowing through the magnetic valve 205 is split into a plurality of portions and fed respectively through the plurality of compartments 305, 310 and 315, and then delivered to the detergent tray 105 through the impeller 405 and the venturi cup 410.

[0044] Figure 8A shows an arrangement the shower tray in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the detergent tray 105 is slidably coupled to the shower tray 110. Further, as shown in Figure 8A, the two sides 805 and 810 of the detergent tray 105 comprises at least a first deflecting member 815 and at least a second deflecting member 820 respectively. It is to be noted that each side may include one or more deflecting members. When a user slides the detergent tray 105, the deflecting member 815 deflects in a direction shown by the dotted arrow 825. When the tray is pushed, the deflecting members 815 and 820 locks the detergent tray 105 with the shower tray 110. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, rollers are used for enabling sliding of the detergent tray 105. Figure 8B shows deflecting member with rollers in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the deflecting member 820 comprises two rollers 830 and 835, wherein the two rollers 830 and 835 are coupled to the deflecting member 820 through two pins 840 and 845 respectively. The rollers 830 and 835 enable sliding of the detergent tray 105 with respect to the shower tray 110.

[0045] Figure 9 shows a front view of an exemplary shower tray. As shown, two impellers 405 and 415, and one venturi cup 410 fixed to bottom of the shower tray 110. As described, the impellers 405 and 415 are fixed using the snap joints and venturi cup 410 is fixed a twist lock mechanism. However, any locking mechanism may be used for fixing the impellers 405 and 415 and the venturi cup 410.

[0046] The washing machine disclosed in the present disclosure comprises the detergent tray and the shower tray assembled for premixing of detergent with water in the detergent tray. The venturi cup reduces the surface tension of the water is by mixing air with the water and then the water is poured on to the detergent stored in the detergent tray to produce foam inside detergent tray. Further, the impeller sprays the water in radial and axial directions for completely moving the detergent to the drum. As described, the detergent tray and the shower tray may be collectively referred to as detergent dispenser device, and the detergent dispenser device disclosed in the present disclosure can be implemented for both the front load and top load washing machines.

[0047] While specific language has been used to describe the disclosure, any limitations arising on account of the same are not intended. As would be apparent to a person skilled in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein.

[0048] The figures 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. For example, orders of processes described herein may be changed and are not limited to the manner described herein. Moreover, the actions of any flow diagram need not be implemented in the order shown; nor do all of the acts necessarily need to be performed. Also, those acts that are not dependent on other acts may be performed in parallel with the other acts. The scope of embodiments is by no means limited by these specific examples. Numerous variations, whether explicitly given in the specification or not, such as differences in structure, dimension, and use of material, are possible. The scope of embodiments is at least as broad as given by the following claims. , Claims:WE CLAIM:

1. A washing machine (100) comprising:
a detergent tray (105);
a shower tray (110) arranged on top of the detergent tray (105), comprising a plurality of compartments (305, 310 and 315), each compartment having a plurality of holes (320);
a magnetic valve (205) coupled to the shower tray (110), wherein water flowing through the magnetic valve (205) is split into a plurality of portions and fed respectively through the plurality of compartments (305, 310 and 315);
characterized in that,
the at least one compartment comprises an impeller (405) for spraying the corresponding portion of the water into the detergent tray (105); and
the at least one compartment comprises a venturi cup (410) for spraying the corresponding portion of the water into the detergent tray (105).

2. The washing machine (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the venturi cup (410) comprises:
a convergent plate (505);
a divergent plate (510) disposed below the convergent plate (505);
a separator (515) disposed below the divergent plate (510); and
an outlet cup (520), wherein the convergent plate (505), divergent plate (510) and the separator (515) are disposed inside the outlet cup (520), and the outlet cup (520) comprises one or more air inlets (525) on the wall and positioned between the convergent plate (505) and divergent plate (510).

3. The washing machine (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the outlet cup (520) comprises air inlets (252) for directing air into the corresponding portion of water for mixing the air and the corresponding portion of water.

4. The washing machine (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein each of the convergent plate (505) and the divergent plate (510) comprises a plurality of holes (605 and 610).

5. The washing machine (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein each of the separator (515) and the outlet cup (520) comprises a plurality of holes (615 and 620).
6. The washing machine (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the number of holes (620) in the outlet cup (520) are more than the number of holes (605 and 610) in each of the convergent plate (505) and the divergent plate (510).
7. The washing machine (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the plurality of holes (620) in the outlet cup (520) are hexagonal in shape.
8. The washing machine (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the impeller (405) is configured for directing the corresponding potion of water into the detergent tray in axial and radial directions.
9. The washing machine (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the impeller (405) is coupled to the at least one compartment (305) of the shower tray (110) through a snap joint (710).

10. The washing machine (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shower tray (110) is coupled to the detergent tray (105) using at least two deflecting members (815 and 820).

11. The washing machine (100) as claimed in claim 10, wherein each deflecting member (815 and 820) comprises two rollers (830 and 835) coupled to the deflecting member (815 and 820) through pins (840 and 845).