BE1031237A1 - Laundry treatment device with door - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a laundry treatment appliance (1) with the following features: - a housing (2) with an access opening (28) and a pivotably mounted door (5) for closing the access opening (28) as required; - a drum (3) mounted inside the housing (2) for receiving the laundry to be treated, wherein the drum (3) comprises a loading opening (38) which is substantially aligned with the access opening (28) on the housing side in order to reach the interior of the drum (3) when the door (5) is open. The door (5) comprises the following: - a support frame (); - a filling body () curved towards the interior of the drum; - an external, plate-shaped cover element (); - an intermediate ring () which is attached between the support frame () and the cover element (), wherein the peripheral edge is exposed and uncovered on the circumference.

Description

2023/5000 1

BE2023/5000

Description

Laundry treatment device with door

The invention relates to a laundry treatment appliance with the following features: - a housing with an access opening and a pivoting door for closing the access opening as required; - a drum mounted within the housing for receiving the laundry to be treated.

Laundry, wherein the drum comprises a loading opening which is connected to the housing-side

Access opening is essentially aligned in order to reach the inside of the drum when the door is open. 5 EP 3 190 224 A1 discloses such a laundry treatment device. The door, which is attached to the access opening in the housing, is constructed in several parts. The frame is provided with a recessed handle.

The invention is based on the object of providing a compact laundry treatment machine with an improved door. According to the invention, this object is achieved, among other things, by a laundry treatment device with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the

Invention arise from the dependent claims.

The approach presented here provides a simple way to create a compact

A laundry treatment appliance has been created in which the door is ergonomically and simply designed. For this purpose, the door comprises the following: - a support frame; - a filling body curved towards the inside of the drum; - an external, plate-shaped cover element; - an intermediate ring which is attached between the support frame and the cover element, xs Whereby the surrounding edge is exposed and uncovered on the circumference.

The support frame is designed as a stable ring, with the opening surrounded by the ring being fitted with the filling body. The support frame is coupled to the front wall by means of a hinge in order to provide a pivoting movement of the door. A locking element is attached to the support frame opposite the hinge, which is held by a locking means on the housing side when the door is closed. The locking means! is preferably designed as

The filling body can be designed as a sight glass for a porthole door. In a dryer, the filling body can be designed as an opaque

The filling body is used to guide the laundry items lying around inside the drum from the inside surface of the door into the interior of the drum.

The cover element can be designed as a disc or a ring and is mounted on the

Between the support frame and the cover plate there is also a

An intermediate ring is attached, which preferably completely covers the frame with its outer contour. The intermediate ring and the cover plate are thus sandwiched on the

Support frame. The peripheral edge of the intermediate ring is exposed on the circumference and is visible from the outside. The particular advantage is that this structure makes it easy to create a flat and stable door. In a practical design, the door is designed in such a way that the peripheral edge or the peripheral, outer edge of the cover element is exposed on the circumference.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the intermediate ring has a partial

The ring has a protruding projection on the circumference of the ring. The projection can be referred to as an elongated 33 tab, the outer contour of which extends along a radius that is larger than the radius of the outer contour of the rest of the intermediate ring. If the ring and the plate-shaped cover element have the same outer contour, but the cover element does not contain such a projection, then this projection projects beyond the

Cover element. The molding can then serve as a handle or grip element for operating the 2% door.

In an expedient further development, the molding has a height in the range of 5 mm to 2 cm, preferably 5 mm to 10 mm, and extends over the circumference in the range of 5 cm to 30 cm, preferably 7 cm to 25 cm, particularly preferably 10 to 20 cm. As a result, the

The shape is clearly visible and can be recognized by the user as a handle for operating the door.

In a further, overall advantageous embodiment, the intermediate ring is plate-shaped and has a strength or thickness in the range of 2 mm to 10 mm, preferably 3 mm to 6 mm. The strength is preferably the same throughout the ring.

If the intermediate ring is provided with the aforementioned formation, it is advantageous that the intermediate ring has the same thickness as the formation, or at least almost the same thickness. The formation has the same thickness as the rest of the intermediate ring.

Overall, all position and direction information refers to the operational

Installation position of the device,

In a further, overall advantageous embodiment, the cover element has the same

Strength or approximately the same strength as the intermediate ring.

In an overall practical design, the door is circular or almost circular and has an outer diameter in the range of 30 cm to 65 cm, preferably 35 cm to 50 cm. An oval or a circle with a flattening on one side is considered to be almost circular. Furthermore, a polygon with more than 4 corners or rounded corners can also be considered to be almost circular.

In a further, overall expedient embodiment of the invention or further development, the intermediate ring with the molding is opaque and in a color that differs from the color of the cover element. Preferably, the cover element can be designed in an inconspicuous color or as a dark-tinted pane. The

The cover element can be provided with a signal colour, for example orange or yellow, or another bright colour. The protruding part of the cover element is then conspicuously visible and can be recognised as a handle. In door designs in which the intermediate ring has the protrusion, it is advisable to arrange the protrusion in the upper area of the door outside the centre in the upper area. Outside the centre means that in the case of a circular or predominantly circular door, the upper vertex represents the 12 o'clock position. The tab is preferably located in the area between 9 o'clock and 12 o'clock or in the area between 12

o'clock and 3 o'clock.

The laundry treatment appliance is preferably a dryer, washer-dryer or a

Washing machine with front access opening, the housing is 55 cm to 65 cm wide, 55 to 70 cm deep and 85 to 95 cm high.

An embodiment of the invention is shown partly schematically in the drawings and is described in more detail below.

Fig. 1: a schematic representation of the laundry treatment device with

heat pump;

Fig. 2: the laundry treatment device partially opened in a perspective

Front view: 36 Fig. 3 and 4: the laundry treatment device in a perspective front view with door and

Fig. 5: the door in an exploded view.

Fig. 1 shows the laundry treatment appliance 1 according to the invention in a schematic

Sectional view. The device 1 is a washer-dryer 1 with a housing 2 and the units arranged therein for carrying out treatment programs. Here the

Unit with tub 4 and the drum 3 rotatably mounted in it. The

The interior of the drum 3 can be accessed for loading and unloading through the tubular bellows 6 attached to the front. The bellows 6 seals the tub 4 to the

A supply line 41 and a supply valve 42 are provided for the supply of washing water to the detergent container 4 or the drum 3 during a washing phase. The water is fed to the detergent dispenser 43 by means of the supply line 41 in order to feed the detergent stored there into the detergent container 4 with the water flowing through the container. The detergent dispenser 43 is connected to the detergent dispenser 4 by means of the

inlet pipe 44 with the tub 4. The drain device 60 comprises a

Pump 61 and a drain line 82, whereby the pump 61 is activated as required when this is provided for in the course of an automatic washing process. The control device 90 is set up and programmed to control the actuators, i.e. the motor 70 for driving the

Drum, the inlet valve 42 and the pump 61 to activate and deactivate in order to

to carry out a treatment program.

The washer-dryer 1 further comprises a heat pump module 13, which is mounted in the housing 2 above the tub 4 and serves to generate a process air flow PL 2%. The module 13 comprises a refrigerant circuit in which refrigerant is

Pipe system with an evaporator 15, a compressor 14 (Fig. 2) for compressing the

refrigerant, a condenser 15 and a throttle (not shown), whereby the

Heat exchanger contains the evaporator 15 and the heater contains the condenser 16 of the heat pump 13. The module 13 comprises a housing 17 (Fig. 2) in which a channel section 8 is incorporated and in which the evaporator 15 and the condenser 16 are mounted. The

Evaporator 15 and condenser 16 are arranged in the channel section 8 such that the moist process air PL from the outlet 47 of the lye container 4 through the pipe 96 to the

channel 8 and in channel 8 first flows through the evaporator 15 so that it is dehumidified due to the cooling and the resulting condensation. Then it flows through the downstream condenser 16, which acts as a heater and the process air

PL so that the heated process air PL flows through the air inlet 46 into the

The suds container 4 is let into the drum 3 through openings 32 in the drum rear wall 31 and is thus fed to the textiles 10 to be treated. Any condensate that accumulates is collected in the collecting tray 81 and led to the drain 23 60, 62 by means of the condensate line 82. The outlet 47 of the suds container 4 is preferably in the area of the

Loading opening on the front wall of the tub 4 or in the tunnel-like

Passage area of the loading opening. The outlet 47, which is the inlet to the

Heat pump module 13 is connected to the heat pump unit 13, in particular to the duct section 8, by means of the line 96.

The functional module 13 mounted above the tub 4 also includes the 5 fan 3, which is driven by the motor 91. The fan 9 includes a

Flow housing 93, in the interior of which the fan wheel 92 is present. The housing 93 is flat and has a diameter at least 4 times larger than the axial length. The fan 9 is placed above the lye container 4 in the device housing 2 in such a way that a part of the fan housing 93 extends in the gap between the lye container rear wall 48 and the housing rear wall 21. The fan can preferably be designed as a radial fan, preferably with curved blades, so that it can be in a

Preferred direction causes a higher volume flow than in the opposite direction of rotation.

Overall, all direction and position information refers to the operational

Installation position of the treatment device 1. ts Fig. 2 shows the washer-dryer 1 with the housing 2 partially opened. The front wall 22 includes the loading opening, which is closed by the door 23. The tub 4 is suspended or supported in a swinging manner inside the housing 2. Inside the

The drum 3 (shown in dashed lines) is rotatably mounted on a horizontal axis 33 of the lye container 4. The unit 13 for generating the process air PL is arranged above the lye container 4 and completely inside the housing 2. The unit 13 is attached to the housing 2 so that it does not vibrate with the lye container 4 when it vibrates due to imbalance in the rotating drum 3. The unit 13 comprises a housing 17 which is used for positioning and preferably fixing the compressor 14, the

Heat exchangers 15, 16, the lines 18 and the throttle 18a. In the situation shown xs, the housing 17 is closed and in normal operating condition. The housing 17 comprises the channel section 8 in the approximately central area, in which the heat exchangers 15, 16 are accommodated. The channel section 8 is provided downstream with the box-shaped deflection pipe 83 in order to deflect the lateral process air flow in the direction of the blower 9. The blower 9 is connected to the circular outlet 83b of the deflection pipe 83 and is located behind the housing 17 of the unit 13. It can be seen that the flat blower outlet 94 points downwards and is connected to the rear air line 85, which in turn opens into the air inlet 46 in or on the lye container 4. The

Blower housing 93 extends at least with the lower area and the outlet 94 in the

Space between the rear end wall 48 of the tub 4 and the

Rear wall 21 of the tool shed 2. In the situation shown, the front

Loading opening is closed by door 5.

Fig. 3 shows the device 1 in a perspective partial view. The housing 2 is constructed as a cuboid made of sheet metal plates. The front wall 22 is provided with the door 5. In the situation shown in Fig. 3, the door 5 is closed. It can also be seen that the door 5 is provided on the outside with a plate-shaped cover element 52. The cover element 52 can have a

Glass pane, a Plexiglas pane or an opaque plate. It can also be seen that a formation 59 made of an intermediate ring 54 projects radially beyond the plate 52. The projecting area extends along in the circumferential direction approximately at an angle of approximately 90°. The height of the projection 59 is approximately 5 mm to 10 mm and is approximately constant. The

The front side of the plate 52 is flat. The door 5 is attached to the

Front wall 22. The hinge 26 is attached to the support frame 51 (Fig. 4, 5) of the door.

Fig. 4 shows the device 1 in an overall view with the door 5 open. The 33 access opening 28 in the housing wall 22 and the

Loading opening 38 of the drum 3 (Fig. 1). The door 5 comprises the ring-shaped support frame 51, the central opening of the ring 51 being provided with the filling body 53. The filling body 53 comprises a curvature towards the inside of the drum 3, which has the shape of a truncated cone, preferably additionally with a bevel on the top. The cover plate 52 is attached to the outside of the support frame 51. In the view of the edge of the door 5, it can be seen that the intermediate ring 54 is arranged between the support frame 51 and the cover plate 52. This can be referred to as a sandwich construction. The support frame 53 is preferably glued to the intermediate ring 54 and the cover plate 52. The locking means 27 is on or in the

Housing 2, 22 so that it cooperates with the locking element 57, which is attached to the inside of the support frame 51 of the door &, or holds it when it is inserted into the

Locking agent 27 penetrates.

Fig. 5 shows the door 5 in an exploded view. The ring-shaped support frame 51 forms the supporting base part. The filling body 53 is attached to it and is arranged or fastened in the opening surrounded by the ring 51. The intermediate ring 54 with the radial formation or bulge 59 is arranged on the outside of the support frame 51. On the

The cover plate 52 is arranged in the intermediate ring 54. The plate 52 is flat.

In all examples shown, the door 5 is round. The radii of the cover plate 52 and the intermediate ring 54 are the same. Only the shape or bulge 59 on the

Intermediate ring has a radius 5 mm to 10 mm larger and extends beyond the

Cover plate 52. The protruding area 59 serves as a handle for operating the door 5. Preferably, the intermediate ring 54 with the bulge 59 is formed in a different color than the cover plate 52.

Overall, all direction and position information refer to the correct operating position of the laundry treatment device 1. ta

Claims (14)

Patent claims 1. Laundry treatment appliance (1) with the following features: - a housing (2) with an access opening (28) and a pivotally mounted door (5) for closing the access opening (28) as required; - a drum (3) mounted inside the housing (2) for receiving the laundry to be treated, the drum (3) comprising a loading opening (38) which is substantially aligned with the housing-side access opening {28} in order to reach the interior of the drum (3) when the door (5) is open, characterized in that the door (5) comprises the following: - a support frame {51}; - a filling body (53) curved towards the interior of the drum. - an external, plate-shaped cover element (52); - an intermediate ring (54) which is mounted between the support frame (51) and the cover element (52), the peripheral edge is exposed and uncovered on the circumference. 2. Laundry treatment appliance according to claim 1, wherein the peripheral edge of the cover element (52) is exposed on the circumference. 3. Laundry treatment appliance according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the intermediate ring (54) has a partial formation (59) protruding from the circumference of the ring (54) 26. 4. Laundry treatment appliance according to one of claims 2 or 3, wherein the outer contour of the cover element (52) corresponds to the outer contour of the intermediate ring (54), with the exception of the region of the partial molding {58}. 5. Laundry treatment appliance according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the formation {59} has a height in the range of 5 mm to 2 cm and extends with a length over the circumference in the range of 5 cm to 30 cm, preferably 7 cm to 25 cm, particularly preferably 10 to 20 cm. 6. Laundry treatment appliance according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the intermediate ring (54) is plate-shaped and has a thickness in the range of 2 mm to 10 mm, preferably 3 mm to 6 mm. 7. Laundry treatment appliance according to one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the intermediate ring (54) has the same thickness or at least almost the same thickness as the formed portion (59). 8. Laundry treatment appliance according to one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the cover element (52) has the same thickness or approximately the same thickness as the intermediate ring {54}. 9. Laundry treatment appliance according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the door (5) is circular or substantially circular and has an outer diameter with a value in the range of 30 cm to 65 cm, preferably 35 cm to 50 cm. 10. Laundry treatment appliance according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the intermediate ring (54) with the molding (59) is opaque and in a color that differs from the color of the cover element (52). 11. Laundry treatment appliance according to one of claims 3 to 10, 14, wherein the formation {598} is arranged in the upper region of the door (5) off-center. 12. Laundry treatment appliance according to one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the cover plate (52) is flat. 13. Laundry treatment appliance according to one of claims 1 to 12, 26 wherein the cover plate (52), the intermediate ring (54) and the support frame (51) are glued together. 14. Laundry treatment appliance according to one of claims 1 to 12, which is a front-loading dryer, a washer-dryer (1) or a washing machine, wherein the housing is 55 cm to 65 cm wide, 55 to 70 cm deep and 85 to 95 cm high.