Device for water supply distribution to a plurality of consumption elements within a washing machine

• US 20050284508A1
• Filed: 06/22/2005
• Published: 12/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: T & P SPA
• Original Assignee: T & P SPA
• Inventors: Carli, Carlo, Pala, Pietro, Borroni, Giuseppe
• Application Number:
  US11/158,931
• Publication Number:
  US 20050284508A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 134/57.00D
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/088 Liquid supply arrangements

Abstract

A device for water supply distribution to a plurality of consumption elements within a washing machine, e.g., a laundry washing machine, has a first shell, a motor, apparatus for connection to the electronic control board of the washing machine, detection apparatus for detecting the different wash phases, a second shell and a distributor. The distributor is positioned coaxially to said motor.

Claims

1. A device for water supply distribution to a plurality of consumption elements within a washing machine comprising:

a first shell,

a motor,

connecting means for connecting the device to an electronic control board of the washing machine,

detection means for detecting the different wash phases,

a second shell, and

a distributor,

wherein

said distributor is positioned coaxially with respect to said motor.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said distributor comprises hooking means having a plurality of appendages each of which has a tooth.

3. A device according to claim 1 wherein said distributor comprises a duct adapted to be connected to a water main through tubings, and a nozzle.

4. A device according to claim 3, wherein said tubings for connection to the water main are located in said second shell.

5. A device according to claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of consumption elements comprises a compartment of a drawer for dispensing washing agents.

6. A device according to claim 3, wherein said nozzle is adapted for supplying water from the main into said plurality of compartments.

7. A device according to claim 3, wherein said tubings for the connection to the water main are located in said washing agent dispensing drawer.

8. A device according to claim 1, wherein a wall is disposed on the upper portion of said distributor for obstructing a passage of said second shell and preventing the water coming from the water main from reaching said motor and/or said detection means and/or said connecting means.

9. A device according to claim 1, wherein said first shell has a first space shaped and sized to be able to contain said motor, and comprises hooking means for coupling the motor to the first shell.

10. A device according to claim 1, wherein said first shell has a second space for containing said connecting means.

11. A device according to claim 1, wherein said motor is a synchronous motor comprising a motor reducer and terminals of the “

Faston”

type.

12. A device according to claim 1, wherein said connecting means for the connection to the control board of the washing machine comprise a printed circuit.

13. A device according to claim 11, wherein said terminals are connected to electrical tracks in said printed circuit.

14. A device according to claim 1, wherein said motor comprises a shaft for turning said distributor.

15. A device according to claim 1, wherein said detection means comprises a microswitch having contacts for connection to the electrical tracks of said printed circuit.

16. A device according to claim 15, wherein said microswitch comprises a push-button.

17. A device according to claim 1, wherein said detection means comprises a cam.

18. A device according to claim 14, wherein said cam is has an opening with a shape complementary to that of said shaft for enabling said cam to be coaxially coupled to said motor.

19. A device according to claim 17, wherein said cam comprises a plurality of ridges.

20. A device according to claim 5, wherein the number of said ridges is a function of the number of compartments of the washing agent dispensing drawer.

21. A device according to claim 16, wherein said plurality of ridges is positioned against said push-button, so as to cause the switching of the microswitch.

22. A device according to claim 19, wherein at least one ridge of said plurality of ridges allows the device to be reset at the end of every wash cycle.

23. A device according to claim 15, wherein said cam comprises a track made of an electrically conductive material for causing the switching of said microswitch.

24. A device according to the claim 23 comprising metal strips for detecting the position of said track made of an electrically conductive material.

25. A device according to claim 17, wherein said detection means comprises a lever for detecting the position of said cam, said lever having elastic means for keeping said lever in contact with said cam.

26. A device according to claim 25, wherein said elastic means comprises a tang formed during the molding of said lever.

27. A device according to claim 25, wherein said lever is snap-hooked and pivoted on a pin of the first shell.

28. A device according to claim 1, wherein said second shell has side walls shaped for being coupled to the side walls of the first shell.

29. A washing machine comprising a device for water supply distribution to a plurality of consumption elements, said consumption elements comprising a plurality of compartments of a washing agent dispensing drawer.

30. A method for assembling a device for water supply distribution to a plurality of consumption elements within a washing machine, said device comprising:

a first shell,

a motor,

connecting means for the connection to the control board of the washing machine,

detection means for detecting the different wash phases,

a second shell,

a distributor,

wherein said distributor is positioned coaxially with respect to said motor.

31. A method according to claim 30, wherein said distributor is coupled to a cam, said cam being hooked coaxially to said motor.

32. A method according to claim 30, wherein said first shell, said motor, said detection means, said second shell and said distributor are assembled through reciprocal hooking means.

33. A method according to claim 32, comprising a phase for producing elastic means during the molding of said detection means.