EP1798323B1 - Device and method for positioning the drum of a washing machine and/or clothes dryer - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a device for positioning a rotating drum of a washing machine and / or drying the laundry.

It also relates to a method of positioning a rotary drum, in particular in a washing machine and / or drying the laundry.

The present invention relates generally to a machine for washing and / or drying laundry equipped with such a device for positioning a rotary drum. This washing machine and / or drying machine comprises a tank in which is housed the drum for containing the laundry. This tank must be tightly closed when using the machine and / or drying the laundry.

In general, the present invention applies to a washing machine and / or drying the laundry, provided with a rotary drum with radial loading, through an opening in the drum shell.

Thus, the loading and removal of the laundry drum is performed at the perimeter of the drum, and generally from the top of the machine. The latter having in the upper plane of its body a door allowing access to the drum.

In the vast majority of cases, this rotary drum is equipped with a double-leaf door, these leaves being articulated independently respectively at the two opposite edges of the opening. Conventionally, each leaf is mounted by one of its sides in rotation about an axis integral with an edge of the opening.

Washing machines are known on the one hand comprising a device for positioning and stopping the drum in the unloading position of the laundry.

This type of device is described for example in the document FR2713675 . These laundry machines comprising a wash tub and a drum within said wash tub, said drum is controlled by a shaft wedged to a pulley external to said drum. The drum must be stopped automatically at a certain position. The pulley includes a notch for accommodating a stop member. The stop member comprises a support device and a means for advancing and reversing.

However, these washing machines have the disadvantage of not allowing several drum locking positions and not having a means of recognizing the angular position of the pulley.

Washing machines are also known comprising a device for positioning and stopping the drum in the unloading position of the laundry.

This type of device is described for example in the document EP0483909 . These laundry machines comprise a drum having an opening having its own closure member, said drum is driven by an electric motor having a transmission comprising a belt and pulleys.

The pulley associated with the drum has on its outer peripheral wall a recess arranged to cooperate with a movable member to ensure at least two working positions. In a first position, the movable member is inserted within said depression. In a second position, the movable member is spaced from the outer peripheral wall of the pulley. Said movable element cooperates with a sensor to act on the motor. Said motor is stopped as soon as the first working position which has been reached by the mobile element is detected. Said depression being advantageously positioned so that the stopping of the motor and therefore of the rotation of the drum takes place when the latter has its opening in the loading and unloading position of the laundry.

However, these washing machines do not provide a reliable lock. The inertia of the laundry load driven by the drum can pull the movable member out of the recess in the outer peripheral wall of the pulley. The movable member may be sheared by the centrifugal force of the drum as it rotates with a load of laundry.

The present invention aims to solve the aforementioned drawbacks and to provide a washing machine and / or tumble dry with a positioning device and locking the drum to ensure fast operation, reliable and not requiring another system of drum positioning recognition. The only power unit used for this type of washing machine and / or dryer is the drum drive motor. In addition, the assembly of the positioning and locking device of the rotary drum is adapted to standard tanks and pulleys.

For this purpose, the present invention is directed to a device for positioning and blocking a rotating drum of a washing machine and / or drying the laundry comprising a washing tub surrounding said rotary drum, said rotary drum being connected to a shaft rotary drive, said rotational drive shaft extending through a flange of the wash tub and being rotated by a pulley attached to an end of said shaft, said pulley extending to the outside of the washing tub, a motor and a belt driving said rotating pulley, an indexing finger cooperating with at least one notch formed on the periphery of said drive pulley of the washing tub for positioning the rotary drum, the indexing finger comprising at least two operating positions, a first position corresponding to the state of rest in which the indexing finger is outside said at least one notch, and a second position corresponding to the stop of the rotary drum in which the indexing finger is introduced into said at least one notch.

According to the invention, the device for positioning and locking a rotary drum of a washing machine and / or drying the laundry comprises a tractor finger connected to the indexing finger, the pulley comprises at least one ramp, the tractor finger is equipped with an interface cooperating with said ramp, and the interface of the tractor finger slides along the ramp of the pulley to drive the indexing finger between said at least two operating positions.

Thus, the positioning and locking of the drum are performed by a single device. Power energy is provided by the main motor of the washing machine and / or drying the laundry. This power energy overcomes the forces due to the inertia of the laundry in the drum and rotating mechanical parts.

No other power unit is necessary for the operation of this device for positioning and locking a rotary drum.

No other positioning recognition device is required to operate the rotary drum positioning and locking device.

The ramp is used as a motor and power element being moved by the pulley and consequently by the main motor.

In addition, this device makes it possible to obtain a fast reaction time.

The actuator used for this device is of low power and standard. This actuator controls the positioning means and in particular the contacting of the indexing finger against the pulley. This actuator can be rotary or linear.

According to a preferred feature of the invention, the indexing finger comprises an elastic means.

Thus, the tractor finger is placed in position in front of the ramp by an electromechanical system, said ramp draws the electromechanical system with the traction finger by sliding the interface of the tractor finger during the rotation of the pulley. This displacement makes it possible to compress the elastic means of the indexing finger in contact with the periphery of the pulley. And when the notch formed on the periphery of the pulley is in front of the indexing finger, the elastic means of the indexing finger is released and the indexing finger is housed in the notch. In this way, the drum is positioned and locked in a determined position.

According to another preferred characteristic of the invention, the device comprises at least two electric breaking means.

The device for positioning and blocking a rotary drum can, with only two electrical cut-off means, enable the position of the various elements composing said device to be recognized for automatically opening the doors of the drum door having at least two positions.

According to a second aspect of the invention, it relates to a method of positioning and locking a rotating drum of a washing machine and / or drying laundry comprising a washing tub surrounding said rotary drum, said rotary drum being connected to a rotating drive shaft, said drive shaft in rotation extending through a flange of the wash tub and being rotated by a pulley attached to one end of said shaft, said pulley extending outside the wash tub, a motor and a belt driving said rotational pulley, an indexing finger cooperating with at least one notch formed on the periphery of said drive pulley of the washing tub for positioning the rotary drum, the indexing finger comprising at least two positions of operation, a first position corresponding to the state of rest in which the indexing finger is outside said at least one notch, and a second position corresponding to the stoppage of the drum rotary in which the indexing finger is introduced into said at least one notch.

• un doigt tracteur se déplace jusqu'au contact du doigt d'indexation avec la poulie,
• le moteur entraîne la poulie en rotation et une interface du doigt tracteur glisse le long d'une rampe coopérant avec la poulie,
• le doigt d'indexation est mis en pression sur la poulie, et
• le doigt d'indexation lié au doigt tracteur se loge dans ladite au moins une encoche ménagée sur la périphérie de la poulie.

This method of positioning and locking a rotary drum comprises at least the following steps:

• a tractor finger moves until contact of the indexing finger with the pulley,
• the motor drives the pulley in rotation and an interface of the tractor finger slides along a ramp cooperating with the pulley,
• the indexing finger is pressurized on the pulley, and
• the indexing finger connected to the tractor finger is housed in said at least one notch formed on the periphery of the pulley.

Thus, the method of positioning and locking a rotary drum allows to position and block said drum quickly in at least one position. Said at least one position is at least one corresponding to the positioning of a drum opening in front of an opening in the washing tub to allow unloading and loading of the laundry. Positioning and locking the drum in said at least one position described above can occur at the end of a wash cycle but also at any time of the cycle to complete the load of laundry. This process requires only simple construction elements.

According to a preferred feature of the invention, the method comprises at least two drum locking positions.

Thus, the method allows the implementation of an automatic opening function of the flaps of the drum door in the machine by having at least two positions.

According to another preferred feature of the invention, a first locking position of the drum makes it possible to position the drum in front of an opening device doors of a drum door.

According to another preferred feature of the invention, a second drum locking position makes it possible to position a drum door in front of an opening in the washing tub.

According to another preferred feature of the invention, the detection means is housed in a notch during the locking of the drum for positioning a drum door opposite an opening in the washing tub.

The pulley assembled in the washing machine and / or drying the laundry can be identical if the detection means is used as a positioner or not.

The object of the present invention is to provide a device and a method for positioning and locking a reliable rotary drum and rapid reaction while ensuring accurate drum positioning for loading and unloading laundry. This device also allows precise positioning in another position in case an automatic opening is arranged in the washing machine and / or drying the laundry.

This device is simple mechanical construction, inexpensive and simply adaptable to any type of washing machine and / or tumble dry.

In addition, this device is compact and easy to assemble.

The positioning and locking elements of the drum are subjected only to low mechanical stresses.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the description below.

• la figure 1 est une vue schématique de côté d'une machine à laver et / ou sécher le linge conforme à un mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• les figures 2 à 13 sont des vues schématiques d'un dispositif de positionnement et de blocage d'un tambour rotatif conforme à un mode réalisation de l'invention ;
• la figure 14 est une vue agrandie du détail A de la figure 6 ;
• les figures 15 à 25 sont des vues schématiques d'un dispositif de positionnement et de blocage d'un tambour rotatif conforme à un mode réalisation de l'invention comprenant un dispositif d'ouverture automatique ; et
• la figure 26 est une vue schématique d'un dispositif de positionnement et de blocage d'un tambour rotatif conforme à un mode réalisation de l'invention présentant le positionnement de deux moyens de coupure ;
• la figure 27 est un tableau présentant l'enchaînement des états logiques des moyens de coupure d'un dispositif de positionnement et de blocage d'un tambour rotatif conforme à un mode réalisation lors de son fonctionnement.

In the accompanying drawings, given as non-limiting examples:

• the figure 1 is a schematic side view of a washing machine and / or tumble dryer according to an embodiment of the invention;
• the Figures 2 to 13 are schematic views of a device for positioning and locking a rotary drum according to an embodiment of the invention;
• the figure 14 is an enlarged view of detail A of the figure 6 ;
• the Figures 15 to 25 are schematic views of a device for positioning and locking a rotating drum according to an embodiment of the invention comprising an automatic opening device; and
• the figure 26 is a schematic view of a device for positioning and locking a rotary drum according to one embodiment of the invention having the positioning of two cutting means;
• the figure 27 is a table showing the sequence of logical states means for cutting off a device for positioning and locking a rotary drum according to an embodiment during its operation.

We will first describe with reference to the figure 1 a washing machine according to the invention.

This washing machine 1 is of the type loading from above. In this way, this machine 1 is suitable for washing the laundry and possibly drying it.

This washing machine 1 comprises a body 2 comprising an access opening 3 inside the body 2. In machines loading from above, this access opening 3 is made in an upper portion of the body 2 , and in this example, in an upper plane of the bodywork 2.

An access door 4 is adapted to close this opening 3 of the body 2 of the machine 1, especially during operation thereof.

In particular, in known manner, this access door 4 is associated with locking means (not shown) whose operation is related to the washing cycle of the machine 1. Thus, at the beginning of the washing cycle, the means of locking are actuated to prevent the opening of the access door 4. Similarly, at the end of washing cycle, the locking means are unlocked to allow the opening by the user of the machine 1.

In this embodiment, and in no way limiting, the access door 4 is pivotally mounted about an axis of rotation 5 integral with the body 2 of the machine 1.

The bodywork 2 of the machine 1 is adapted to house a washing tub 6 which is particularly suitable for containing the various washing and rinsing baths.

Inside the washing tub 6 is mounted in a known manner a drum 7, rotatable about an axis 8 during the different cycles of washing, rinsing and wringing machine 1.

The drum 7 is thus rotatably mounted about a horizontal axis 8.

It will be noted that the figure 1 is schematic and that many organs necessary for the operation of the machine (and for example engine, pumps, filters, ...) have been omitted and do not need to be described in detail here.

In order to allow the introduction and removal of the laundry inside the rotary drum 7, it comprises in a known manner an access door 9, for example formed of two gates 10a and 10b pivotally mounted on the ferrule of the drum 7.

Similarly, the washing tub 6 may also include a tank door (not shown).

This tank door makes it possible to close an opening 11 made in the tank 6 and disposed substantially in line with the access opening 3 of the bodywork 2 of the machine 1.

This tank door can thus be movable between a closed position in which it closes the opening 11, in a sealed manner, and an open position in which the door leaf is disposed between the tank wall 6 and the body 2 of the machine 1.

We have illustrated in isolation on the figure 1 the tank 6 according to the invention equipped with a device for positioning and locking the rotary drum 7.

The Figures 1 to 14 have a device for positioning and locking a rotary drum electromechanical type. The means constituting this device 12 are shown in the figures cited above and are in part standard components used in different fields such as home appliances.

Said device for positioning and locking the rotary drum 12 comprises a casing 13, preferably obtained by two coupling shells and made of thermoplastic material.

Said device 12 is equipped at one end with an opening allowing the passage of at least the tractor finger 14. And at another end, the device 12 comprises another opening allowing the passage of the cables supplying the actuator 15.

The device for positioning and locking a rotary drum 7 of a washing machine and / or drying the laundry 1 comprises a washing tub 6 surrounding said rotary drum 7, said rotary drum 7 being connected to a drive shaft in rotation, said rotational drive shaft extending through a flange of the washing tub 6 and being rotated by a pulley 16 fixed to one end of said shaft, said pulley 16 extending to the outside the washing tub 6, a motor 17 and a belt 18 driving said pulley 16 rotating, an indexing finger 19 cooperating with at least one notch 20 formed on the periphery of said drive pulley 16 of the tank washing 6 to position the rotary drum 7, the indexing finger 19 comprising at least two operating positions, a first position corresponding to the idle state in which the indexing finger 19 is outside said at least one notch 20, and a second position corresponding to the stop of the rotary drum 7 in which the indexing finger 19 is introduced into said at least one notch 20.

The device for positioning and locking the rotary drum 12 comprises a housing 13 fixed on the washing tub. Said casing 13 guides the elements making up said device 12 including the tractor finger 14.

In addition, a tractor finger 14 is connected to the indexing finger 19. The pulley 16 comprises at least one ramp 21. The tractor finger 14 is equipped with an interface 22 cooperating with said ramp 21. And the interface 22 of the finger tractor 14 slides along the ramp 21 of the pulley 16 to drive the indexing finger 19 between said at least two operating positions.

The power element of the device is the motor 17 for driving the drum 7.

The driving pulley 16 in rotation of the drum 7 fixed in a manner known to those skilled in the art to said drum 7 is connected to a second pulley 23 by a belt 18 or a similar transmission element.

According to the invention, the device for positioning and locking the drum 12 associated with the washing machine 1 makes it possible to immobilize the opening of said drum 7 to the right of the opening 11 formed in the tank 6 for loading and unloading the laundry at any time when the order to stop the machine ordered.

The device for positioning and locking the drum 12 comprises the indexing finger 19 cooperating with the peripheral surface 24 of the pulley 16. Said pulley 16 comprises on its periphery 24 at least one notch 20 adapted to cooperate with the indexing finger 19.

The displacement of the tractor finger 14 is adapted so that the indexing finger 19 is engaged in at least one notch 20 is out of said at least one notch 20.

In the embodiment of the invention described, the peripheral surface 24 of the pulley 16 comprises two notches 20 and 25 cooperating with the indexing finger 19. These two notches 20 and 25 allow for an automatic opening mode of the drum door 9.

A first notch 20 serves to position the drum door 9 vis-à-vis an unlocking means (not shown) of at least one flap 10a of the drum door 9.

A second notch 25 serves to position the drum door 9 vis-à-vis the opening 11 of the tank 6.

The tractor finger 14 cooperates with the indexing finger 19 in which said indexing finger 19 slides.

The indexing finger 19 comprises an elastic means 26.

A first end of the indexing finger 19 cooperates with the peripheral surface 24 of the pulley 16. A second end of the indexing finger 19 comprises the elastic means 26.

The device 12 is connected to a control means (not shown) adapted to supply electrical energy to said device 12.

The device 12 comprises at least one electric breaking means 27. Said at least one cut-off means 27 is disposed on the indexing finger 19. Said at least one a breaking means 27 may be a switch or a relay. Said at least one breaking means 27 is connected to the control means (not shown) of the machine 1 and in particular to the motor 17. This connection between said at least one breaking means 27, the motor 17 and the control means is known to those skilled in the art and can be made for example by electric cables.

The device for positioning and locking the drum 12 is adapted to be arranged in the body 2 of the machine 1 in a known manner.

The device for positioning and locking the drum 12 is in the rest position when the tractor finger 14 is in the low position. Thus, the interface 22 of the tractor finger 14 can not be driven by the ramp 21 of the pulley 16. The interface 22 of the tractor finger is disposed below the ramp 21 of the pulley 16.

In this embodiment of the invention, the spacing between the pulley 16 and the washing tank 6 allows the displacement of the interface 22 of the tractor finger 14. Moreover, the tractor finger 14 can not fall below the pulley 16.

Of course, an embodiment of the invention could allow the tractor finger 14 to pass from one side and the other of the pulley 16 by having a sufficient spacing between said pulley 16 and the washing tub 6.

During the phases of the washing cycle, the device for positioning and locking the drum 12 is spaced from the peripheral surface 24 of the pulley 16.

At the end of the washing cycle, the control means of the machine 1 causes a slowing down of the speed of rotation of the drum 7 by acting on the motor 17 in a manner known to those skilled in the art. The rotational speed of the motor 17 is for example of the order of 30 revolutions per minute.

Simultaneously, an actuator 15 of the positioning and locking device of the drum 12 is operated so as to move the tractor finger 14 towards the pulley 16 in order to block the pulley 16 with the indexing finger 19.

The indexing finger 19 comes into contact with the periphery 24 of the pulley 16. Said indexing finger 19 remains in contact with the periphery 24 of the pulley 16 until the indexing finger 19 is housed in a housing. notch 20 formed on the periphery 24 of the pulley 16. The indexing finger 19 comes into contact with the end of said notch 20 and the motor 17 of the machine 1 is stopped.

The contacting of the indexing finger 19 with the periphery 24 of the pulley 16 is ensured by the compression of an elastic means 26. In this way, the indexing finger 19 is in pressure on the periphery 24 of the pulley 16.

The displacement of the indexing finger 19 to the end of said notch 20 modifies the electrical state of a switch 27. Therefore, said switch 27 cuts the power supply of the motor 17 of the machine 1 in a known manner so that the drum 7 of machine 1 is stopped.

The speed of rotation of the drum 7 is low during positioning and locking of said drum, hence the small forces exerted on the positioning and locking device of the drum 12.

The indexing finger 19 is held in said notch 20 in contact with the periphery 24 of the pulley 16 by an elastic means 26, such as a spring, to maintain the electrical state of the at least one electric breaking means 27.

The initial position of the indexing finger 19 is a position where the elastic means 26 of said indexing finger 19 is at rest.

To keep the tractor finger 14 in position in which the indexing finger 19 is in contact with the periphery 24 of the pulley 16 and housed in a notch 20, a non-return means is connected with the actuator 15 of the positioning device and locking the drum 12.

Said actuator 15 can be made by a micromotor or by a wax cylinder. Said actuator 15 is connected to a transmission link for moving the tractor finger 14.

The actuator 15 can drive the tractor finger 14 in both directions of operation.

The device 12 may comprise a drive means equipped with a clutch system. The clutch system comprises a torsion spring 28 of a cylinder 29 mounted tightly on a shaft of the drive means and a pinion 30.

The tractor finger 14 is driven by a rack 31 meshing with the pinion 30 of the clutch system.

Such a device for driving the tractor finger 14 is represented on the Figures 1 to 14 illustrated in this document.

The indexing finger 19 cooperates with at least one detection means 32 so as to control the drive motor 17 of the rotary drum 7.

The tractor finger 14 is connected to said at least one detection means 32. Said at least one detection means 32 can be produced by a detection finger. The tractor finger 14 cooperates with the detection means 32 in which said detection means 32 slides. Said at least one detection means 32 is connected to an elastic means 33 such as a spring. Said detection means 32 is driven by the tractor finger 14 until it comes into contact with the periphery 24 of the pulley 16. The contacting of the detection means 32 with the periphery 24 of the pulley 16 is ensured by the compression of the elastic means 33. Said at least one detection means 32 is in contact with the periphery 24 of the pulley 16 and slides on the periphery 24 of the pulley 16 during the rotation of said pulley 16.

In a position of the drum 7, the interface 22 of the tractor finger 14 forms a stop on the ramp 21 along an axis of movement of said tractor finger 14.

Preferably, the interface 22 of the tractor finger 14 is of triangular shape.

The driving pulley 16 of the drum 7 is equipped with a ramp 21 attached to or integrated in said pulley 16.

The method of positioning and locking the rotating drum of a washing machine and / or drying the laundry as described above will now be described.

In practice, the positioning and locking of the rotary drum is implemented after the detection of an end of washing cycle or by an order given by the user.

In the initial position, for example during the washing cycle, the interface 22 of the tractor finger 14 is neither in contact with the pulley 16 nor with the ramp 21. The drum 7 is neither positioned nor blocked. Said drum 7 can rotate freely, as illustrated in FIG. figure 2 .

• un doigt tracteur 14 se déplace jusqu'au contact du doigt d'indexation 19 avec la poulie 16,
• le moteur 17 entraîne la poulie 16 en rotation et une interface 22 du doigt tracteur 14 glisse le long d'une rampe 21 coopérant avec la poulie 16,
• le doigt d'indexation 19 est mis en pression sur la poulie 16, et
• le doigt d'indexation 19 lié au doigt tracteur 14 se loge dans ladite au moins une encoche 20 ménagée sur la périphérie 24 de la poulie 16.

According to the invention, the method comprises at least the following steps:

• a tractor finger 14 moves until the contact of the indexing finger 19 with the pulley 16,
• the motor 17 drives the pulley 16 in rotation and an interface 22 of the tractor finger 14 slides along a ramp 21 cooperating with the pulley 16,
• the index finger 19 is pressurized on the pulley 16, and
• the index finger 19 connected to the tractor finger 14 is housed in said at least one notch 20 formed on the periphery 24 of the pulley 16.

To position the drum 7, at the end of the washing cycle or at any other chosen moment of a cycle, the actuator 15 of the device 12 is electrically powered. Said actuator 15 drives the tractor finger 14 via a rack 31 until the indexing finger 19 is in contact with the outer peripheral surface 24 of the pulley 16, as illustrated in FIG. figure 3 .

At this time, the motor 17 of the machine 1 can be powered to drive the pulley 16 attached to the drum 7. The interface 22 of the tractor finger 14 comes into contact with the ramp 21 disposed on the inner part of the rim of the pulley 16. The slope 35 of the ramp 21 drives the tractor finger 14 by sliding the interface 22 of said tractor finger 14 on said ramp 21. The indexing finger 19 is slidably mounted on the tractor finger 14 and said indexing finger 19 can not go higher up. An elastic means 26 of the index finger 19 is compressed when the interface 22 of the tractor finger 14 abuts the ramp 21 of the pulley 16. A rack 31 drives a pinion 30 when the interface 22 of the tractor finger 14 slides along the ramp 21 and a resilient means 28 unwinds and slides around a cylinder 29 mounted tight on a shaft of a drive means 15. The drive means 15 may be a micromotor. said micromotor 15 does not rotate since its internal resisting torque is greater than the force exerted due to the high gear ratio. This phase of the positioning process is illustrated by the Figures 4 and 5 .

When the interface 22 of the tractor 14 sliding finger with the ramp 21 of the pulley 16 arrives at a tipping point, designated by D (see in particular figure 6 ), the tractor finger 14 can not go down. The tractor finger 14 remains in position due to the presence of the non-return means included by the clutch system and the spring 26 of the indexing finger 19. This clutch system is disengageable as we have explained previously. . Therefore, the indexing finger 19 is housed in a notch 20 formed on the outer periphery 24 of the pulley 16. Simultaneously, the indexing finger 19 comes to an end-of-travel stop relative to the tractor finger 14. A this moment, the drum 7 is positioned and blocked. This phase of the positioning process is illustrated by the figure 6 and the figure 14 being an enlarged view of detail A of the figure 6 .

In this way, the positioning of the drum 7 can be ensured for the opening of the leaves 10a and 10b opposite the opening 11 formed in the tank 6.

The drum 7 is unblocked by feeding the drive means 15, said drive means 15 drives the tractor finger 14 and the index finger 19 leaves said at least one notch 20 formed on the periphery 24 of the pulley 16.

To unlock the drum 7, the micromotor 15 is powered and drives the tractor finger 14 in the opposite direction. Despite the presence of a disengageable gear 30 mounted on the shaft of the micromotor 15, it will still cause the tractor finger 14 through the friction forces of the torsion spring 28 on the cylinder 29. The indexing finger 19 out of said notch 20 so as to release the drum 7.

The interface 22 of the tractor finger 14 bears on a wall 34 of the ramp 21 preventing the drum 7 from rotating in the opposite direction.

In one embodiment comprising an automatic opening of the flaps 10a and 10b of the drum 7, the device 12 makes it possible to position in a first position the flaps 10a and 10b of the drum 7 vis-à-vis an unlocking system (no shown) of said leaves 10a and 10b.

In this embodiment, during the unblocking of the drum 7 to find the second locking position of the drum 7, the indexing finger 19 leaves the first notch 20 formed on the pulley 16. In this position illustrated in FIGS. Figures 7 and 8 , the pulley 16 can not turn in the opposite direction since the triangular shape of the interface 22 abuts against the return 34 formed on the ramp 21 of the pulley 16. This return 34 formed on the ramp 21 makes it possible to prevent the drum 7 turn in the opposite direction especially because of unbalance due to the laundry contained in the drum 7.

As for finding the first position, the motor 17 of the machine 1 is fed so as to compress the elastic means 26 of the index finger 19 with the outer peripheral surface 24 of the pulley 16. For this, the tractor finger 14 is driven upwards by the interface 22 of the traction finger 14 sliding on the ramp 21 of the pulley 16. This phase of the process is illustrated by the figures 9 and 10 .

The ramp 21 of the pulley 16 comprises an inclined portion 35 associated with the search for each position. Thus, the ramp 21 comprises two inclined parts to allow the automatic opening of the leaves 10a and 10b of the drum door 9.

When the interface 22 of the traction finger 14 sliding with the ramp 21 of the pulley 16 arrives at the second tilting point, designated by E (see in particular the figure 11 ), the tractor finger 14 can not go down. The tractor finger 14 remains in position due to the presence of the non-return means included by the clutch system and the spring 26 of the indexing finger 19. This clutch system is disengageable as we have explained previously. . Therefore, the indexing finger 19 is housed in a second notch 25 formed on the outer periphery 24 of the pulley 16. Simultaneously, the indexing finger 19 comes to an end-of-travel stop relative to the tractor finger 14. At this moment, the drum 7 is positioned and locked in the second position. This phase of the positioning process is illustrated by the figure 11 .

In this way, the positioning of the drum 7 is ensured for the opening of the leaves 10a and 10b opposite the opening 11 formed in the tank 6 with said flaps 10a and 10b unlocked.

As previously described to unlock the drum 7, the micromotor 15 is energized and drives the tractor finger 14 in the opposite direction. The indexing finger 19 leaves the second notch 25 formed on the pulley 16 so as to release the drum 7. The pulley 16 can not turn in the opposite direction since the triangular shape of the interface 22 abuts against the return 34 on the ramp 21 of the pulley 16. This return 34 formed on the ramp 16 prevents the drum 7 to turn in the opposite direction, particularly because of unbalance due to the laundry contained in the drum 7.

The position recognition of the drum 7 is based on the fact that the detection is relative between the different parts making up the device 12 and not absolutely. The position detection of the drum 7 is provided by the device 12 comprising at least one cut-off means 27. Preferably, the device 12 comprises two cutting means 27a and 27b illustrated in FIG. figure 26 . Said cutoff means 27a and 27b may be switches. The breaking means 27a and 27b may be other electrical detectors such as optical detectors. Said at least one cutoff means 27 is disposed on the indexing finger 19.

Moving parts contributing to position detection are the finger 19, the tractor finger 14 and the detection means 32. The three parts mentioned above comprise shapes adapted to activate two switches 27a and 27b.

The combination of the two switches 27a and 27b is used to determine a positioning state. At each positioning phase corresponds an electrical state of the two switches 27a and 27b brought together. Said switches 27a and 27b are either activated corresponding to a closed contact designated "1", or deactivated corresponding to open contact designated "0". For each phase of the method, the positioning is determined according to the evolution of the states of the two switches 27a and 27b.

The moving parts mentioned above follow a predetermined synoptic as soon as the positioning and locking device of the drum 12 is put into operation. The movements of said parts are obliged to follow the synoptic.

In the embodiment described, the two breaking means 27a and 27b are mounted on the indexing finger 19. A first electric breaking means 27a is activated by the tractor finger 14 or by the housing 13. A second means of electric break 27b can be activated by the detection means 32.

In the rest position where the drum 7 can rotate freely, the two breaking means 27a and 27b are activated.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described comprising a method of automatically opening a door in a washing machine and / or drying the laundry as described above.

We have illustrated Figures 15 to 25 the operating principle of the device for positioning and locking the rotary drum of a washing machine and / or drying the laundry schematically.

We illustrated at the figure 27 a table summarizing the logic states taken by the two breaking means 27a and 27b during the course of the automatic opening process of a door in a washing machine and / or drying the laundry.

In this embodiment, the device for positioning and locking the rotary drum 12 comprises a tractor finger 14, an indexing finger 19 and a detection means 32. A detection means 32 is linked to the tractor finger 14. The finger indexing means 19 and the detection means 32 are connected to the tractor finger 14 by an elastic means 26 and 33 such as a spring. The pulley 16 attached to the drum 7 comprises a ramp 21 formed on the inner peripheral surface to guide the interface 22 of the tractor finger 14. The device 12 comprises at least two locking positions of the drum 7. Said pulley 16 also comprises a first notch 20 to accommodate the indexing finger 19 to achieve a first positioning of the drum 7. This first positioning of the drum 7 allows an unlocking means to unlock the flaps 10a and 10b of the drum door 9. Said pulley 16 comprises a second notch 25 for accommodating the indexing finger 19 in order to perform a second positioning of the drum 7. second positioning of the drum 7 makes it possible to arrange the leaves 10a and 10b of the drum door 9 vis-à-vis the opening 11 formed in the tank 6. And said pulley 16 comprises a third notch 36 for accommodating the means 32 to ensure the positioning of the drum 7 in said second position. This embodiment is illustrated in figure 15 .

The device for positioning and locking the rotary drum 12 comprises two electric breaking means 27a and 27b such as switches. A first electric breaking means 27a is arranged to detect the position of the detection means 32 and a second electric breaking means 27b is arranged to detect the position of the indexing finger 19. These two electric breaking means 27a and 27b are disposed on the tractor finger 14. The number of electric breaking means 27a and 27b is at least two.

In an initial position a, the drum 7 of the washing machine and / or drying the laundry 1 is free to rotate. For example, machine 1 performs a wash cycle. In the initial position a, the electric breaking means 27a and 27b take a value of "1" meaning that the device 12 is out of operation. The first electric breaking means 27a detects the contact between the detection means 32 and the indexing finger 19. And the second electric breaking means 27b detects the contact between the indexing finger 19 and the casing 13 of the device 12. At the same time, the actuator 15 of the device 12 is not powered. On the other hand, the drive motor 17 of the drum 7 is powered. This phase is illustrated by the figure 16 .

When transmitting an electrical signal from the control means of the machine 1 to the positioning and locking device of the drum 12, the actuator 15 is energized and drives the tractor finger 14. Therefore, the indexing finger 19 is driven towards the pulley 16 since the indexing finger 19 is connected to the tractor finger 14. During this phase, the drum 7 is stationary so the motor 17 for driving the drum 7 is not powered. The first electric breaking means 27a connected to the detection means 32 remains in a closed electrical contact state, ie a value at "1". The indexing finger 19 remains in contact with the detection means 32. On the other hand, the second electric breaking means 27b connected to the detection means 32 changes its electrical state corresponding to an open contact, ie a value at "0". The indexing finger 19 is no longer in contact with the casing 13 of the device 12. This phase b is illustrated by the figure 17 .

The next phase c corresponds to the contacting of the indexing finger 19 with the pulley 16 to find the first blocking position. During this phase c, the drum 7 is rotated by the motor 17 of the machine 1. The indexing finger 19 comes into contact with the pulley 16. The actuator 15 of the device 12 is not put into operation . The electric breaking means 27a and 27b take a value of "0". The first electric breaking means 27a connected to the detection means 32 is an open contact since said detection means 32 is also in contact with the peripheral surface 24 of the pulley 16. The indexing finger 19 and the detection means 32 are more in touch. For the second electric breaking means 27b, the indexing finger 19 is still not in contact with the tractor finger 14 so the contact remains open. The elastic means 26 and 33 of the index finger 19 and the detection means 32 are compressed. This phase is illustrated by the figure 18 .

The indexing finger 19 is driven by the sliding of the interface 22 of the tractor finger 14 on the ramp 21 formed on the inner peripheral surface of the pulley 16. The driving motor 17 of the drum 7 is put into operation until that the second electric breaking means 27b goes to a value of "1", that is to say that the indexing finger 19 is in contact with a portion of the tractive finger 14 forming a stop. The first electric breaking means 27a remains in the previous operating state at "0". Similarly during this phase d, the elastic means 26 and 33 of the index finger 19 and the detection means 32 are compressed. The actuator 15 of the device 12 is not operated. This phase d is illustrated by the figure 19 .

The pulley 16 of the drum 7 continues to rotate at a low speed and the indexing finger 19 is housed in a first notch 20 formed on the peripheral surface 24 of the pulley 16. The rotation of the drum 7 can be generated by the load of laundry driving said drum by inertia. The first electric breaking means 27a remains in the previous operating state at "0". But the second electric breaking means 27b goes to state "0" because the indexing finger 19 is no longer in contact with a portion of the tractive finger 14 forming a stop. The elastic means 26 of the indexing finger 19 drives said indexing finger 19 into said first notch 20. Said elastic means 26 is no longer compressed since the indexing finger 19 is no longer in contact with the outer peripheral surface 24 of the pulley 16. The detection means 32 remains in contact with the outer peripheral surface 24 of the pulley 16 by the elastic means 33. For detecting the first position of the drum, the detection means 32 is not necessary . Therefore, no notch is provided for the latter during this phase of the process. The actuator 15 of the device 12 is not operated. This phase e is illustrated by the figure 20 . A first locking position of the drum makes it possible to position the drum in front of a device for opening the leaves of a drum door.

Following the detection of the first position and the locking of the drum 7 in said first position, the device 12 disengages from said first position. The actuator 15 of the device 12 is put into operation to move the traction finger 14 away from the pulley 16 and consequently the index finger 19 and the detection means 32. This phase f is illustrated by the figure 21 .

The device 12 is considered disengaged from the first position as soon as the first electric breaking means 27a goes to state "1", that is to say that indexing finger 19 is in contact with the detection means 32. The tractor finger 14 drives the indexing finger 19 towards the detection means 32 forming a stop. The elastic means 33 of the sensing pin 32 is compressed. The drum 7 can not rotate in the opposite direction since the ramp 16 comprises a stop 34 avoiding this rotational movement of said drum 7. As soon as the first electric breaking means 27a changes state, the actuator of the device is stopped and the motor 17 of the machine 1 drives the drum 7 to reach the second locking position. This phase g is illustrated by the figure 22 .

The next phase h corresponds to the contacting of the indexing finger 19 with the pulley 16 in order to find the second locking position. During this phase, the drum 7 is rotated by the motor 17 of the machine 1. The indexing finger 19 is in contact with the pulley 16. The actuator of the device is not put into operation. The electrical breaking means 27a and 27b retain their state. The first electric breaking means 27a connected to the detecting means is a closed contact since said detecting means 32 is also in contact with the peripheral surface of the pulley 16. The indexing finger 19 and the detecting means 32 are no longer in touch. For the second electric breaking means 27b, the indexing finger 19 is still not in contact with the tractor finger 14 so the contact remains open. The elastic means of the index finger and the detection means are compressed. This phase h is illustrated by the figure 23 .

The next phase i is the training phase of the tractor finger 14 by the ramp 21 when looking for the second position. The indexing finger 19 is driven by the sliding of the interface 22 of the tractor finger 14 on the ramp 21 formed on the inner peripheral surface of the pulley 16. The driving motor 17 of the drum 7 is put into operation until that the second electric breaking means 27b goes to a value of "1", that is to say that the indexing finger 19 is in contact with a portion of the tractive finger 14 forming a stop. The first electric breaking means 27a goes into the operating state at "0". Similarly during this phase i, the elastic means 26 and 33 of the index finger 19 and the detection means 32 are compressed. The actuator 15 of the device 12 is not operated. This phase i is illustrated by the figure 23 .

The pulley 16 of the drum 7 continues to rotate at a low speed and the index finger 19 is housed in a second notch 25 formed on the peripheral surface 24 of the pulley 16. The rotation of the drum 7 can be generated by the load of laundry driving said drum by inertia. The first electric breaking means 27a goes into the operating state at "1". The detection means 32 is housed in a third notch 36 formed on the outer periphery 24 of the pulley 16. Thus the second electric breaking means 27b goes to the state "0". The elastic means 26 of the index finger 19 drives said indexing finger 19 in said second notch 25. The same operation is applied to the detection means 32. Said elastic means 26 and 33 are no longer compressed since the indexing finger 19 and the detection means 32 are no longer in contact with the outer peripheral surface 24 of the pulley 16. For detection of the second position of the drum 7, the detection means 32 is necessary. The detection means 32 is housed in a notch 36 during the blocking of the drum 7 for positioning a drum door 9 in front of an opening 11 formed in the washing tub 6. The actuator 15 of the device 12 is not put into operation. At the end of this phase j, the contact of the locking means of the door 4 of the body 2 is disabled to allow the user to access the inside of the drum 7. This phase j is illustrated by the figure 24 . A second locking position of the drum 7 makes it possible to position a drum door 9 opposite an opening 11 formed in the washing tub 6.

To authorize the launching of a new washing cycle, the device 12 disengages from the second locking position of the drum 7. The actuator 15 of the device 12 is put into operation to move the traction finger 14 away from the pulley 16 and by Consequently, the indexing finger 19 and the detection means 32. Furthermore, the locking means of the bodywork door 4 is activated to enable this phase of disengagement of the device 12. This phase k is illustrated by FIG. figure 25 .

The device for positioning and locking the rotary drum 12 may comprise at least one control means (not shown) of the washing machine and / or drying the laundry 1 to ensure the sequencing of the process phases. Said at least one control means may comprise electrical means or a microcontroller.

Of course, many modifications can be made to the embodiment described above without departing from the scope of the invention.

In particular the clutch system implementing a micromotor with a disengageable pinion could be replaced by a ratchet system to obtain the raising and lowering of the tractor finger for positioning and locking the drum. one or more positions.

Claims (26)

1. A device (12) for positioning and holding in place a rotating drum of a laundry washing and/or drying machine comprising a washtub (6) surrounding said rotating drum (7), said rotating drum (7) being connected to a rotationally driven shaft, said rotationally driven shaft extending through a flange of the washtub (6) and being made to rotate by a pulley (16) fastened to one end of said shaft, said pulley (16) extending outside of said washtub (6), with a motor (17) and a belt (18) rotationally driving said pulley (16), an indexing finger (19) cooperating with at least one notch (20) built into the periphery (24) of said pulley (16) driving the washtub (6) for positioning the rotating drum (7), the indexing finger (19) comprising at least two operating positions, a first position corresponding to the state of rest in which the indexing finger (19) is outside of said at least one notch (20), and a second position corresponding to the rotating drum (7) being off, in which the indexing finger (19) is inserted into said at least one notch (20), characterized in that:

   - a pulling finger (14) is connected to the indexing finger (19),

   - the pulley (16) comprises at least one ramp (21),

   - the pulling finger (14) is equipped with an interface (22) cooperating with said ramp (21); and

   - the interface (22) of the pulling finger (14) slides along the ramp (21) of the pulley (16) in order to drive the indexing finger (19) between said at least two operating positions.
2. A device for positioning and holding in place a rotating drum of a laundry washing and/or drying machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the device's power component is the motor (17) that drives the drum (7).
3. A device for positioning and holding in place a rotating drum of a laundry washing and/or drying machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the interface (22) of the pulling finger (14) forms a stop on the ramp (21) according to an axle of motion of said pulling finger (14).
4. A device for positioning and holding in place a rotating drum of a laundry washing and/or drying machine according to any one of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the interface (22) of the pulling finger (14) is triangular in shape.
5. A device for positioning and holding in place a rotating drum of a laundry washing and/or drying machine according to any one of the claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the indexing finger (19) cooperates with at least one means of detection (32) so as to control the motor (17) that drives the drum (7).
6. A device for positioning and holding in place a rotating drum of a laundry washing and/or drying machine according to claim 5, characterized in that the pulling finger (14) is connected to said at least one means of detection (32).
7. A device for positioning and holding in place a rotating drum of a laundry washing and/or drying machine according to any one of the claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the device (12) comprises a means of driving (15) equipped with a clutch system.
8. A device for positioning and holding in place a rotating drum of a laundry washing and/or drying machine according to claim 7, characterized in that the clutch system comprises a torsion spring (28) of a cylinder (29) mounted tightly onto a shaft of the means of driving (15) and of a pinion (30).
9. A device for positioning and holding in place a rotating drum of a laundry washing and/or drying machine according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the pulling finger (14) is driven by a control rack (31) engaged with the pinion (30) of the clutch system.
10. A device for positioning and holding in place a rotating drum of a laundry washing and/or drying machine according to any one of the claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the device (12) comprises at least one means of electrical interruption (27).
11. A device for positioning and holding in place a rotating drum of a laundry washing and/or drying machine according to claim 10, characterized in that said at least one means of interruption (27) is disposed on the indexing finger (19).
12. A device for positioning and holding in place a rotating drum of a laundry washing and/or drying machine according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that a first means of electrical interruption (27) can be activated by the pulling finger (14).
13. A device for positioning and holding in place a rotating drum of a laundry washing and/or drying machine according to any one of the claims 10 to 12, characterized in that a second means of electrical interruption (27) can be activated by the means of detection (32).
14. A device for positioning and holding in place a rotating drum of a laundry washing and/or drying machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the indexing finger (19) comprises an elastic means (26).
15. A device for positioning and holding in place a rotating drum of a laundry washing and/or drying machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one means of detection (32) is connected to an elastic means (33).
16. A device for positioning and holding in place a rotating drum of a laundry washing and/or drying machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one means of detection (32) is in contact with the periphery (24) of the pulley (16) and slides along the periphery (24) of the pulley (16) when said pulley (16) rotates.
17. A method for positioning and holding in place a rotating drum of a laundry washing and/or drying machine comprising a washtub (6) surrounding said rotating drum (7), said rotating drum (7) being connected to a rotationally driven shaft, said rotationally driven shaft extending through a flange of the washtub (6) and being made to rotate by a pulley (16) fastened to one end of said shaft, said pulley (16) extending outside of said washtub (6), with a motor (17) and a belt (18) rotationally driving said pulley (16), an indexing finger (19) cooperating with at least one notch (20) built into the periphery (24) of said pulley (16) driving the washtub (6) for positioning the rotating drum (7), the indexing finger (19) comprising at least two operating positions, a first position corresponding to the state of rest in which the indexing finger (19) is outside of said at least one notch (20), and a second position corresponding to the rotating drum (7) being off, in which the indexing finger (19) is inserted into said at least one notch (20), characterized in that it comprises at least the following steps:

    - a pulling finger (14) moves until the indexing finger (19) makes contact with the pulley (16),

    - the motor (17) rotationally drives the pulley (16) and an interface (22) of the pulling finger (14) slides along a ramp (21) cooperating with the pulley (16),

    - the indexing finger (19) is pressed onto the pulley (16), and

    - the indexing finger (19) connected to the pulling finger (14) becomes lodged into said at least one notch (2) built into the periphery (24) of the pulley (16).
18. A method for positioning and holding in place a rotating drum of a laundry washing and/or drying machine according to claim 17, characterized in that an elastic means (26) of the indexing finger (19) is compressed when the interface (22) of the pulling finger (14) comes to rest against the ramp (21) of the pulley (16).
19. A method for positioning and holding in place a rotating drum of a laundry washing and/or drying machine according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that a control rack (31) drives a pinion (30) when the interface (22) of the pulling finger (14) slides along the ramp (16) and an elastic means (28) unwinds and slides around a cylinder (29) mounted tightly on a shaft of a driving means (15).
20. A method for positioning and holding in place a rotating drum of a laundry washing and/or drying machine according to any one of the claims 17 to 19, characterized in that the releasing of the drum (7) is performed by powering the driving means (15), said driving means (15) drives the pulling finger (14) and the indexing finger (19) comes out of said at least one notch (20) built into the periphery (24) of the pulley (16).
21. A method for positioning and holding in place a rotating drum of a laundry washing and/or drying machine according to any one of the claims 17 to 20, characterized in that the interface (22) of the pulling finger (14) rests against a wall (35) of the ramp (21) preventing the drum (7) from rotating in reverse.
22. A method for positioning and holding in place a rotating drum of a laundry washing and/or drying machine according to any one of the claims 17 to 20, characterized in that one means of detection (32) is connected to the pulling finger (14).
23. A method for positioning and holding in place a rotating drum of a laundry washing and/or drying machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (12) comprises at least two locking positions of the drum (7).
24. A method for positioning and holding in place a rotating drum of a laundry washing and/or drying machine according to claim 23, characterized in that a first locking position of the drum (7) makes it possible to position the drum (7) facing a device for opening the hatches (10a, 10b) of a door (9) of the drum (7).
25. A method for positioning and holding in place a rotating drum of a laundry washing and/or drying machine according to any one of the claims 23 or 24, characterized in that a second locking position of the drum (7) makes it possible to position a door (9) of the drum (7) facing an opening (11) built into the washtub (6).
26. A method for positioning and holding in place a rotating drum of a laundry washing and/or drying machine according to any one of the claims 23 to 25, characterized in that the detection means (32) becomes lodged into a notch (36) when locking the drum, making it possible to position a door (9) of the drum (7) facing an opening (11) built into the washtub (6).

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