Drawer structure for dispensing metered amounts of washing agent in a washing machine

• US 9,644,307 B2
• Filed: 08/11/2014
• Issued: 05/09/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Elbi International SpA (Bitron Industrie SPA)
• Original Assignee: Elbi International SpA (Bitron Industrie SPA)
• Inventors: Da Pont, Paolo, Ravedati, Paolo, Garetto, Luca
• Primary Examiner(s): Perrin, Joseph L
• Application Number:
  US14/910,211
• Publication Number:
  US 20160177491A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,002 Days
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/02 Devices for adding soap or other washing agents
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/022 in a liquid state D06F39/024 takes precedence

Abstract

A structure has a drawer defining at least one chamber receiving a washing agent and is mounted to move in a shell between an extracted position, in which the chamber is accessible from the outside for receiving a washing agent, and a retracted position, in which the chamber is closed by the shell and suited to dispense the washing agent. A passage communicates with the chamber and outside. A pumping member is suited to push a quantity of washing agent from the chamber towards the passage. An actuator operates the pumping member and is fixed on the shell separate from the drawer. The pumping member is able to assume an active condition, coupled to the actuator and to the passage, when the drawer is retracted. The pumping member is able to assume an inactive condition, uncoupled from the actuator or from the passage, when the drawer is extracted.

Claims

1. A drawer structure for dispensing metered amounts of at least one washing agent in a washing machine, said structure comprising:

a hollow shell fitted on a casing of said washing machine;

a drawer defining at least one chamber for receiving a washing agent and mounted to move in said shell between an extracted position, in which said at least one chamber is accessible from outside of said structure and is ready to receive said washing agent, and a retracted position, in which said at least one chamber is closed by said shell and arranged for dispensing said washing agent to the outside of said structure;

at least one passage which communicates, on one side, with said at least one chamber and, on an other side, with the outside of said structure;

at least one pumping member arranged for driving a quantity of said washing agent from said at least one chamber through said passage; and

at least one actuator or electric motor arranged for operating said at least one pumping member and for being connected to an electronic control unit of said washing machine;

wherein said at least one actuator or motor is fixed on said shell and is separate from said drawer, and said at least one pumping member is able to assume;

an active condition, in which said pumping member is coupled to said at least one actuator or motor and to said at least one passage, allowing said quantity of washing agent to be dispensed, when said drawer is in said retracted position, and

an inactive condition, in which said pumping member is uncoupled from at least one between said at least one actuator or motor and said at least one passage, preventing said quantity of washing agent from being dispensed, when said drawer is in said extracted position;

said structure further comprising;

a plurality of said chambers,

a plurality of said passages, each one of said passages being associated with a respective chamber, and

a plurality of pumping members, each one of said pumping members being hydraulically coupled to a respective passage;

said structure comprising a single actuator or motor which, in turn, comprises a plurality of output members and a transmission mechanism arranged for selectively controlling the power delivered by the output members to the respective pumping members;

wherein said transmission mechanism is a clutch type mechanism and is fit for selectively activating said output members in an electrically controlled manner; and

wherein said transmission mechanism comprises an oscillating lever which is elastically engageable with an output shaft with said single electric motor;

said oscillating lever being adapted to be moved to engage an other output shaft due to action of an electromagnetic actuator, which is suited to be electrically supplied with power by said electronic control unit of the washing machine and is designed to push said oscillating lever.

2. A structure according to claim 1, wherein said oscillating lever comprises a rocker arm hinged to said shell.

3. A structure according to claim 1, wherein, in said inactive condition, said at least one pumping member is mechanically uncoupled from said at least one actuator or motor.

4. A structure according to claim 3, wherein, in said inactive condition and in said active condition, said at least one pumping member remains hydraulically coupled to said at least one passage.

5. A structure according to claim 3, wherein said at least one pumping member is mounted to move as a unit with said drawer during movement between said retracted position and said extracted position.

6. A structure according to claim 3, wherein each output member has a shaped section adapted to engage seat with a corresponding shape, when said drawer moves to the retracted position;

each seat being torsionally supported by the respective pumping member, so that the coupling between each output member and respective seat takes place in a dampened manner.

7. A structure according to claim 6, wherein each seat is torsionally supported, through a respective elastic member, by the respective pumping member.

8. A structure according to claim 1, wherein, in said inactive condition, said at least one pumping member is hydraulically uncoupled from said at least one passage.

9. A structure according to claim 8, wherein, in said inactive condition and in said active condition, said at least one pumping member remains mechanically coupled to said at least one actuator or motor.

10. A structure according to claim 8, wherein said at least one pumping member is mounted at the output of said at least one actuator or motor.

11. A structure according to claim 1, wherein said at least one passage comprises a deformable tube and said at least one pumping member is a peristaltic rotor, for hydraulically cooperating with said deformable tube to drive the washing agent contained in the corresponding chamber.

12. A structure according to claim 1, wherein said at least one pumping member is rotatable about a horizontal rotation axis.

13. A structure according to claim 1, wherein said at least one pumping member is rotatable about a vertical axis.