Washing Machine Cleaning System and Washing Machine

Abstract

The present invention refers to a system capable of providing the cleaning of an outer surface ( 4 ) of a wash tub ( 2 ) of a clothes washing machine ( 1 ) automatically. The wash tub ( 2 ), disposed inside an outer tub ( 3 ), has an outer surface ( 4 ) having through holes ( 5 ) that permit the passage of the liquid used in the wash to the outer tub ( 3 ). The cleaning system comprises at least a cleaning conduit ( 6 ) having at least a portion disposed between the wash tub ( 2 ) and the outer tub ( 3 ). The cleaning conduit ( 6 ) is capable of conducting a flow of fluid provided by a fluid supply means. The cleaning conduit ( 6 ) has at least a cleaning opening ( 7 ) facing the outer surface ( 4 ) of the wash tub ( 2 ). The cleaning opening ( 7 ) is capable of providing the application of a fluidic force to the outer surface ( 4 ) of the wash tub ( 2 ) by diverting at least a portion of the flow of fluid towards the outer surface ( 4 ) of the wash tub ( 2 ). The present invention also refers to a washing machine ( 1 ) that comprises the cleaning system referred to above.

1 . Washing machine cleaning system, the washing machine ( 1 ) having a wash tub ( 2 ) disposed inside an outer tub ( 3 ), the wash tub ( 2 ) having an outer surface ( 4 ) having through holes ( 5 ) that allow the passage of liquid used in the wash to the outer tub ( 3 ), the cleaning system being characterized by comprising at least a cleaning conduit ( 6 ) having at least a portion disposed between the wash tub ( 2 ) and the outer tub ( 3 ), the cleaning conduit ( 6 ) being capable of conducting a flow of fluid provided by a fluid supply means, the cleaning conduit ( 6 ) having at least a cleaning opening ( 7 ) facing the outer surface ( 4 ) of the wash tub ( 2 ), the cleaning opening ( 7 ) being capable of providing the application of a fluidic force to the outer surface ( 4 ) of the wash tub ( 2 ) by diverting at least a portion of the flow of fluid towards the outer surface ( 4 ) of the wash tub ( 2 ). 
     
     
         2 . Cleaning system according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the wash tub ( 2 ) comprises a first end ( 22 ) and a second end ( 23 ) disposed parallel and opposite to each other, the cleaning conduit ( 6 ) substantially extending from the first end ( 22 ) to the second end ( 23 ). 
     
     
         3 . Cleaning system according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the cleaning conduit ( 6 ) comprises a plurality of cleaning openings ( 7 ). 
     
     
         4 . Cleaning system according to  claim 1 , characterized by comprising an adaptor device ( 8 ) associated to the cleaning conduit ( 6 ) by means of a connection hose ( 11 ), the adaptor device ( 8 ) being arranged to conduct the flow of fluid coming from the fluid supply means to the cleaning conduit ( 6 ). 
     
     
         5 . Cleaning system according to  claim 4 , characterized in that the adaptor device ( 8 ) is associated to an ingredients dispenser ( 13 ) having at least an entry opening ( 14 ) capable of allowing the entry of the flow of fluid to be mixed with at least an ingredient contained in the ingredients dispenser ( 13 ). 
     
     
         6 . Cleaning system according to  claim 4 , characterized in that the adaptor device ( 8 ) is associated to the fluid supply means by means of a set of nozzles ( 12 ), the set of nozzles ( 12 ) being connected to a set of flow valves ( 9 ) capable of permitting or preventing the passage of the flow of fluid to the adaptor device ( 8 ). 
     
     
         7 . Cleaning system according to  claim 6 , characterized in that the set of nozzles ( 12 ) comprises at least:
 an entry nozzle ( 15 ) connected to the supply means;   a first exit nozzle ( 16 ) connected to a first flow valve ( 17 ) comprised by the set of flow valves ( 9 ), the first exit nozzle ( 16 ) being capable of permitting a directing of the flow of fluid coming from the entry nozzle ( 15 ) to the cleaning conduit ( 6 ); and   a second exit nozzle ( 18 ) connected to a second flow valve ( 19 ) comprised by the set of flow valves ( 9 ), the second exit nozzle ( 18 ) being capable of permitting the directing of the flow of fluid coming from the entry nozzle ( 15 ) to the ingredients dispenser ( 13 ).   
     
     
         8 . Cleaning system according to  claim 7 , characterized in that the adaptor device ( 8 ) has at least:
 a first directing hole ( 20 ) associated to a first exit nozzle ( 16 ), the first directing hole ( 20 ) being capable of permitting the directing of the flow of fluid coming from the first exit nozzle ( 16 ) to the connection hose ( 11 ); and   a second directing hole ( 21 ) associated to a second exit nozzle ( 18 ) and to an entry opening ( 14 ) of the ingredients dispenser ( 13 ), the second directing hole ( 21 ) being capable of permitting the directing of the flow of fluid coming from the second exit nozzle ( 18 ) to the ingredients dispenser ( 13 ).   
     
     
         9 . Cleaning system according to  claim 7 , characterized in that the first flow valve ( 17 ) and the second flow valve ( 19 ) are driven independently from each other by a control means. 
     
     
         10 . Cleaning system according to  claim 9 , characterized in that the control means drives the first flow valve ( 17 ) and the second flow valve ( 19 ) alternately. 
     
     
         11 . Cleaning system according to  claim 9 , characterized in that the control means drives the first flow valve ( 17 ) and the second flow valve ( 19 ) simultaneously. 
     
     
         12 . Cleaning system according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the wash tub ( 2 ) is arranged to execute an angular rotational movement when a fluidic force is applied to the outer surface ( 4 ) of the wash tub ( 6 ). 
     
     
         13 . Cleaning system according to  claim 9 , characterized by being driven automatically by the control means during or between the operating cycles of the washing machine ( 1 ). 
     
     
         14 . Washing machine ( 1 ) having a wash tub ( 2 ) disposed inside an outer tub ( 3 ), the wash tub ( 2 ) having an outer surface ( 4 ) having through holes ( 5 ) that allow the passage of the liquid used in the wash to the outer tub ( 3 ), the washing machine ( 1 ) being characterized in that the cleaning system comprises at least a cleaning conduit ( 6 ) having at least a portion disposed between the wash tub ( 2 ) and the outer tub ( 3 ), the cleaning conduit ( 6 ) being capable of conducting a flow of fluid provided by a fluid supply means, the cleaning conduit ( 6 ) having at least a cleaning opening ( 7 ) facing the outer surface ( 4 ) of the wash tub ( 2 ), the cleaning opening ( 7 ) being capable of providing the application of a fluidic force to the outer surface ( 4 ) of the wash tub ( 2 ) by diverting at least a portion of the flow of fluid towards the outer surface ( 4 ) of the wash tub ( 2 ).