The present invention relates to a washing machine comprising a dispenser suitable for loading liquid and powder detergent.

Washing machines generally comprise a dispenser having at least one partition suitable for loading liquid or powder detergent as per user preferences. The dispenser is placed into a dispenser chamber on the washing machine body and in order to load detergent, the user pulls the dispenser out of the dispenser chamber, loads detergent into the partition and pushes the dispenser back into the dispenser chamber. A flushing member is provided above the dispenser chamber which enables the detergent to be swept by spraying water and when the washing machine is operated, water is fed into the dispenser through the flushing member and water-detergent mixture which is swept by water leaves the partition through an outlet opening provided on the dispenser. The detergent-water mixture which leaves the partition reaches the tub by means of a delivery line which extends between the dispenser chamber and the tub and thereby, used in the washing process. Household appliance manufacturers generally provide an apparatus which is attached to the partition to enable liquid detergents to be loaded into the partition. However, said apparatus has to be removed when using powder detergents in order to enable the powder detergent to be swept. On the other hand, powder detergents do not dissolve in water as good as liquid detergents and create detergent stains on laundry and leave residues on the dispenser which cause bacterial growth and unpleasant odors. Therefore, there is a need for a washing machine which enables both powder and liquid detergents to be used easily and effectively.

In the state of the art International Patent Application No. WO2017097318, a detergent dispenser is disclosed, comprising a barrier which enables liquid detergents to be loaded into the partition.

In the state of the art European Patent Application No. EP2374926, a washing machine is disclosed, comprising a detergent dispenser which is suitable for loading powder and liquid detergents. The aim of the present invention is the realization of a washing machine wherein both liquid and powder detergents can be used effectively.

The washing machine realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof, comprises a dispenser which is slidably placed into a dispenser chamber on the body; at least one partition on the dispenser, suitable for loading liquid or powder detergents; a flushing member which enables the water to be sent onto the detergent in the partition; an outlet opening provided at the rear section of the partition, enabling the water-detergent mixture in the partition to flow from the dispenser into the dispenser chamber; and a detergent guide which is placed into the partition having a plate which enables a certain amount of liquid detergent to be filled into the partition by closing the side of the partition which faces the outlet opening and a wheel which has a plurality of fins rotating when the water-powder detergent mixture in the partition flows towards the outlet opening, increasing the amount of detergent dissolved in water, the detergent guide being movable by the user to a first position where the plate covers the rear side of the partition when liquid detergent is to be used and a second position where the plate leaves the rear side of the partition at least partially open when powder detergent is to be used and where the water-powder detergent mixture hits the wheel and rotate the wheel while flowing towards the outlet opening. The detergent guide which is used both for liquid and powder detergents has a compact structure and enables the liquid detergent to be loaded into the partition and powder detergent to be dissolved effectively, providing ease of use.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the wheel is positioned just behind the plate so that the liquid mixture which goes over the plate flows onto the same when the detergent guide is in the first position. By means of the water sent by the flushing member, the water-detergent mixture rises in the partition and goes over the plate so as to flow onto the wheel to rotate the wheel and then flows into the dispenser chamber via the outlet opening by passing through the wheel. Thus, the wheel enables the water and liquid detergent to be mixed when the detergent guide is in the first position. In another embodiment of the present invention, the plate is positioned at a distance from the base of the partition so as to allow for the flow of water-powder detergent mixture from the base of the partition towards the outlet opening when the detergent guide is in the second position. In the second position the plate is positioned so as to be at least partially above the wheel and the detergen t-water mixture which is passed through the wheel flows from under the plate towards the outlet opening. Thereby, the plate is prevented from blocking the flow of the powder detergent-water mixture.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the plate is hinged in the partition so as to rotate around the wheel about a rotation axis, and the detergent guide is moved to the first position and the second position by rotating the plate in opposite directions around the rotation axis. Thus, the detergent guide is enabled to be switched between the first position and the second position by only rotating the plate without changing the position of the wheel in the partition and ease of use is provided.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the wheel and the plate are arranged so as to rotate around the same axis. The wheel and the plate are coaxially hinged to each another and attached to the partition from the point both are hinged to each other. Thus, by making the plate and the wheel coaxial, the structure of the detergent guide is simplified and ease of mounting is provided.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the plate has two arms which are arranged opposite to each other and at least one support on each arm, and at least two housings are provided on the partition, wherein the supports are placed rotatably. Thus, the placement of the wheel is facilitated by increasing the diameter of the movement of the plate, and the plate is enabled to be moved away from the base of the partition in the second position so as not to block the flow.

In another embodiment of the present invention, two pins which extend on the rotation axis of the wheel are borne in the supports arranged on the arms. The pins which form the rotation axis of the wheel are rotatably attached to the housings on the arms and thus, the wheel is hinged between the arms. Consequently, the pins and the supports are enabled to be durably supported in the housing on the partition. In another embodiment of the present invention, the partition has a first stopper which bears against the plate when the detergent guide is in the first position and a second stopper which bears against the plate when the detergent guide is in the second position. Thus, the plate is enabled to be supported in the first and second positions and prevented from rotating by itself.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a handle which is suitable for being gripped by the user is provided on the plate. By means of the handle, the plate is enabled to be moved easily and the detergent guide can be easily moved to the first position and the second position.

By means of the present invention, a detergent guide with a compact and simple structure is realized, which enables the powder detergent to be dissolved and the liquid detergent to be stored in the partition. Consequently, a washing machine is realized, wherein both powder and liquid detergents are used effectively.

The washing machine realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:

Figure 1 - is the schematic view of the washing machine related to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 - is the view of the detergent guide related to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 - is the exploded view of the detergent guide in Figure 2.

Figure 4 - is the view of the dispenser and the detergent guide in the first position related to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 - is the sideways cross-section view of the dispenser and the detergent guide in Figure 4 in the first position.

Figure 6 - is the view of the dispenser and the detergent guide in the second position related to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 7 - is the sideways cross-section view of the dispenser and the detergent guide in Figure 6 in the second position. The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

1. Washing machine

2. Body

3. Dispenser chamber

4. Dispenser

5. Partition

5a. Base

6. Flushing member

7. Outlet opening

8. Detergent guide

9. Plate

10. Wheel

11. Arm

12. Support

13. Housing

14. Pin

15. First stopper

16. Second stopper

17. Handle

The washing machine (1) comprises a body (2); a dispenser chamber (3) arranged on the body (2); a dispenser (4) placed into the dispenser chamber (3), having at least one partition (5) suitable for loading a powder detergent or a liquid detergent as per user preferences; at least one flushing member (6) for sending water into the partition (5) when the dispenser (4) is in the dispenser chamber (3); at least one outlet opening (7) arranged on the dispenser (4) for discharging the water-detergent mixture from the partition (5); and a detergent guide (8) which is placed into the partition (5) and which has a first position suitable for loading liquid detergent into the partition (5) and a second position suitable for loading powder detergent into the partition (5). The dispenser (4) is placed into the dispenser chamber (3) which is in liquid communication with a washing tub (not shown in figures) wherein the washing process is realized. When a washing process is started by operating the washing machine (1), water is sent into the partition (5) by means of the flushing member (6) and the detergent swept by the water flows into the dispenser chamber (3) through the outlet opening (7). The detergent guide (8) is arranged on the partition (5) and used by being moved by the user to a first position which is suitable for loading liquid detergent and a second position which is suitable for loading powder detergent.

The washing machine (1) of the present invention comprises the detergent guide (8) having a plate (9) which forms a barrier in front of the outlet opening (7) in the first position so as to enable liquid detergent to be loaded up to a certain level in the partition (5) and a wheel (10) which is rotated in the second position with the flow created by the water-powder detergent mixture towards the outlet opening (7). The detergent guide (8) has a wheel (10) which is suitable for being rotated about an axis which is perpendicular to the flow of water in the partition (5) and a plate (9) which is suitable for blocking the flow of liquid in the partition (5) towards the outlet opening (7). In the first position of the detergent guide (8), the plate (9) forms a barrier which prevents the flow between the outlet opening (7) and at least a part of the partition (5) and enables liquid detergent to be loaded into the partition (5) up to a certain level. Thus, liquid detergent can be stored in the partition (5) without flowing through the outlet opening (7). In the second position of the detergent guide (8), the plate (9) does not form a barrier between the outlet opening (7) and the partition (5) and allows for the flow of detergent-water mixture from the partition (5) to the outlet opening (7), and the powder detergent-water mixture which flows towards the outlet opening (7) hits the fins of the wheel (10) so as to rotate the wheel (10). The rotation of the wheel (10) facilitates the mixing of the water and the powder detergent, and the water-detergent mixture which leaves the dispenser (4) through the outlet opening (7) becomes more homogeneous. In an embodiment of the present invention, the wheel (10) is positioned between the outlet opening (7) and the plate (9) when the detergent guide (8) is in the first position. When the detergent guide (8) is in the first position which is suitable for loading liquid detergent, detergent guide (8) is positioned between the plate (9) and the outlet opening (7). The total liquid level in the partition (5) increases with the addition of the water sent by the flushing member (6) and the liquid, upon reaching a certain level, goes over the plate (9) and flows onto the wheel (10). The wheel (10) is rotated by the liquid poured onto the same and the water-liquid detergent mixture is enabled to be mixed before reaching the outlet opening (7). Thus, the wheel (10) enables the liquid detergent and the water to be mixed homogeneously.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the plate (9) is positioned at a distance from the base (5a) of the partition (5) so that the water-detergent mixture flows under the plate (9) towards the outlet opening (7) when the detergent guide (8) is in the second position. When the detergent guide (8) is in the second position, the plate (9) is positioned at a distance from the base (5a) of the partition (5) so as to form a gap between the partition (5) and the plate (9), allowing for the liquid flow. Thus, in the second position wherein powder detergent is loaded into the partition (5), the powder detergent-water mixture is enabled to flows under the plate (9) and reach the outlet opening (7), and the plate (9) is prevented from blocking the flow.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the detergent guide (8) is moved from the first position to the second position and from the second position to the first position by rotating the plate (9) about a rotation axis. While the position of the wheel (10) in the partition (5) is fixed in the first position and the second position, the plate (9) is formed so as to move by being rotated about the rotation axis in the partition (5). The detergent guide (8) is shifted to the first position and the second position by rotating the plate (9) in opposite directions about the rotation axis. Thus, the number of moving parts is decreased and the use of the detergent guide (8) is facilitated.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the wheel (10) is rotated about the same axis as the plate (9). The wheel (10) and the plate (9) are coaxial. The wheel (10) which is rotated with the flow and the plate (9) which is rotated by the user between the first position and the second position of the detergent guide (8) are hinged to the partition (5) so as to rotate coaxially. Thus, the detergent guide (8) is enabled to have a compact and simple structure.

In another embodiment of the present invention, at least two arms (11) are provided on the two sides of the plate (9), which extend almost perpendicular to the plate (9), each of which has a support (12) thereon, and at least two housings (13) are provided on the opposite walls of the partition (5), wherein the supports (12) are placed rotatably. The arms (11) are provided on the two opposite sides of the plate so as to face each other, and a support (12) in the form of a protrusion is provided on the side of each arm (11) which faces the opposite vertical walls of the partition (5) so as to form the rotation axis of the plate (9). The supports (12) are rotatably fitted into the housings (13) provided in the partition (5) so as to face each other. Thus, the plate (9) rotates between the first position and the second position of the detergent guide (8) as the supports (12) rotate in the housings (13).

In another embodiment of the present invention, on two sides of the wheel (10), at least two pins (14) are provided, which are attached rotatably to the supports (12), forming the rotation axis of the wheel (10). At the center of the supports (12), there are gaps which are suitable for fitting the pins (14) rotatably. The supports (12) wherein the pins (14) are fitted rotatably engage with the housings (13) on the partition (5). Thus, the wheel (10) and the plate (9) are borne into the housings (13) on the partition (5). This embodiment is advantageous in that both the wheel (10) and the plate (9) are enabled to be attached rotatably into the housings (13) on the partition (5) and these parts are supported by the partition (5). Thus, the detergent guide is enabled to be attached durably and the mounting process is facilitated.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the partition (5) has a first stopper (15) thereon, which bears against the plate (9) when the detergent guide (8) is in the first position. The first stopper (15) supports the plate (9) by bearing against the plate (9) when the detergent guide (8) is in the first position. Thus, the plate (9) is prevented from being displaced with the pressure of the liquid in the partition (5) when the detergent guide (8) is in the first position. In another embodiment of the present invention, the partition (5) has a second stopper (16) thereon, which bears against the plate (9) when the detergent guide (8) is in the second position. The second stopper (16) supports the plate (9) by bearing against the plate (9) when the detergent guide (8) is in the second position. Thus, the plate (9) is prevented from moving to a position so as to block the flow when the detergent guide

(8) is in the second position.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a handle (17) is disposed on the plate

(9). The user can rotate the plate (9) by means of the handle (17) and move the detergent guide (8) to the first position and the second position. Thus, ease of use is provided.

By means of the present invention, an easy-to-use detergent guide (8) is realized, which does not occupy too much space in the partition (5) and which is suitable for using both powder detergent and liquid detergent. By means of the detergent guide (8) which is placed into the partition (5) and which has the plate (9) and the wheel (10), powder or liquid detergent can be loaded into the partition (5) as per user preferences and the detergent is enabled to be dissolved in water homogeneously.