Washing machine provided with a recirculation circuit

Abstract

A washing machine comprising: a washing tub ( 10 ) wherein a rotatably drum ( 20 ) is mounted, adapted to contain garments to be washed, a washing fluid comprising water and one or more detergent substances to be delivered into the tub ( 10 ) and the drum ( 20 ); an outlet conduit ( 40 ) connected, through its end portion ( 50 ), to the tub ( 10 ) for conveying the washing fluid outside of the tub ( 10 ); a recirculation circuit ( 60 ) comprising a first conduit ( 61 ), a recirculation pump ( 62 ) and a second conduit ( 63 ), wherein: the first conduit ( 61 ) connecting the end portion ( 50 ) of the outlet conduit ( 40 ) to the recirculation pump ( 62 ); the second conduit ( 63 ) allowing a connection between the recirculation pump ( 62 ) and the tub ( 10 ); the recirculation pump ( 62 ) is configured to draw the fluid from the tub ( 10 ) through the first conduit ( 61 ) and to feed the fluid back in the tub ( 10 ) through the second conduit ( 63 ).

1 . A washing machine, comprising:
 a washing tub, for a washing fluid comprising water and one or more detergent substances to be delivered in said tub;   an outlet conduit connected by an end portion to the tub, for conveying said washing fluid out of said washing machine;   a recirculation circuit comprising a first conduit, a recirculation pump and a second conduit, wherein:
 said first conduit connects said outlet conduit, particularly said end portion of said outlet conduit, to said recirculation pump; 
 said second conduit allows connection between said recirculation pump and said tub; 
 said recirculation pump is designed to draw said fluid from said tub through said first conduit and to feed said fluid back into said tub through said second conduit and 
 said second conduit has a first and a second end, the first end being connected to said recirculation pump, the second end being connected to a lower surface of said tub. 
   
     
     
         2 . A washing machine of  claim 1 , wherein said second conduit allows said fluid to be fed back into the tub through a lower surface of said tub. 
     
     
         3 . A washing machine of  claim 1 , wherein the end portion of said outlet conduit has a substantially cylindrical shape, with said first conduit leading to a first radial opening of said end portion. 
     
     
         4 . A washing machine of  claim 1 , wherein said second conduit has a first end connected to said recirculation pump, and a second end leading to said tub. 
     
     
         5 . A washing machine  claim 4 , wherein the second end of said second conduit leads to said tub in a position other than that of the end portion of said outlet conduit. 
     
     
         6 . A washing machine of  claim 1 , wherein said outlet conduit comprises a main body and said end portion, wherein said main body and said end portion are formed enbloc, preferably of elastomeric material. 
     
     
         7 . A washing machine of  claim 3 , wherein said second conduit has a first end connected to said recirculation pump, and a second end leading to the end portion of said outlet conduit. 
     
     
         8 . A washing machine as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein said outlet conduit comprises a main body and said end portion, wherein said main body and said end portion are distinct pieces, fluid-tightly assembled together to define said outlet conduit. 
     
     
         9 . A washing machine of  claim 7 , wherein said tub and said main body are associated with respective longitudinal ends of said cylindrical shape, and said second conduit leads to a second radial opening of said end portion. 
     
     
         10 . A washing machine of  claim 9 , wherein an angular distance between said first radial opening and said second radial opening ranges from 60° to 150°, particularly from 80° to 100°. 
     
     
         11 . A washing machine  claim 7 , wherein said end portion has a connection member which is shaped to convey the fluid that comes out from said second conduit into said tub. 
     
     
         12 . A washing machine of  claim 11 , wherein said connection member is “L-shaped”. 
     
     
         13 . A washing machine of  claim 1 , further comprising a box-like support structure having a bottom surface, a top surface, a front surface, a back surface and a pair of opposed lateral surfaces, wherein said recirculation pump is mounted in said support structure close to a corner defined by said back surface and said bottom surface. 
     
     
         14 . A washing machine of  claim 1 , wherein said recirculation pump has an inlet connected to said first conduit and an outlet connected to said second conduit. 
     
     
         15 . A washing machine of  claim 14 , wherein said inlet is at a lower height than said outlet. 
     
     
         16 . A washing machine of  claim 14 , wherein said inlet extends in a direction parallel to a bottom surface of said washing machine, and said outlet extends in a direction transverse, preferably orthogonal, to said bottom surface. 
     
     
         17 . A washing machine of  claim 1 , wherein said first and/or second conduits have a corrugated shape, at least at a middle portion thereof. 
     
     
         18 . A washing machine of  claim 4 , wherein said recirculation circuit further comprises a removable insert, which is mounted at the second end of said second conduit, said insert being designed to divert the fluid flow that comes out of the second conduit by 90°, and to convey the flow parallel to the bottom of the tub. 
     
     
         19 . A washing machine of  claim 1 , wherein said recirculation pump comprises a volute formed enbloc with a protective element or cover, the latter being adapted to protect said recirculation pump from any water leakage. 
     
     
         20 . A washing machine of  claim 1 , wherein said tub has an integral connection collar at a bottom portion thereof, which is applied to an outer surface of said tub for connection to said second conduit, said connection collar being originally blind, the blind bottom of said connection collar being adapted to be opened by boring, for providing fluid communication between said second conduit and the interior of said tub.