CN109667125B

CN109667125B - Dryer with a protective device for protection against damage in the event of an impact and method for operating the dryer

Info

Publication number: CN109667125B
Application number: CN201811194047.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: A·德雷班特; R·埃迪戈尔; F·亨切尔
Original assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Current assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Priority date: 2017-10-13
Filing date: 2018-10-12
Publication date: 2022-09-23
Anticipated expiration: 2038-10-12
Also published as: CN109667125A; EP3470568B1; DE102017218361A1; PL3470568T3; EP3470568A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a dryer comprising a housing, a drum (1) which is mounted in the housing so as to be rotatable about a first axis of rotation (3) and is intended to receive laundry, and a protective device (4) for protecting against damage in the event of an impact on the dryer, wherein the drum (1) is in contact with at least two roller devices (2) during operation of the dryer, wherein the protective device (4) is designed to be in contact with the roller devices (2) at least in the transport state of the dryer. The invention also relates to a method for operating the dryer.

Description

Dryer with a protective device for protection against damage in the event of an impact and method for operating the dryer

Technical Field

The invention relates to a dryer comprising a housing, a drum which is mounted in the housing so as to be rotatable about a first axis of rotation and is intended to receive laundry, and a protective device for protecting against damage in the event of an impact on the dryer, wherein the drum is in contact with at least two roller devices during operation of the dryer. The invention also includes a method for operating the dryer.

Background

Laundry dryers, referred to herein as dryers, have a drum for receiving laundry. The drum is moved during the execution of the laundry treatment program and is therefore mounted so as to be rotatable about an axis, preferably a substantially horizontally mounted axis of rotation. Typically, the drum runs on wheels or rollers (referred to herein as "rollers") on which the drum is rotatably supported. The drive of the drum is usually effected by means of a belt drive. The drum may have an integrated back wall which thus follows the rotation in the drum rotation, or a stationary back wall. The drum axis of rotation can be supported in an integrated rear wall, so that in the case of an integrated rear wall often two rollers are sufficient, which are in contact with the front end of the drum. But sometimes four rollers are used. Four rollers are typically used for the case of a stationary back wall.

During transport of the dryer, the impact of the dryer can lead to the rollers supporting the drum, usually in the front region, producing indentations in the periphery of the drum shell, especially in the region where the drum lies flat on the rollers. Such damage of the drum may result in a faulty operation of the drum when the drying process is carried out, in such a way that a large noise load may be generated particularly when the drum is rotated.

Accordingly, attention has been paid to protecting the drum of the dryer in the transportation of the dryer.

Publication EP 2773806B 1 describes a laundry dryer with a transport protection element. In particular, a laundry dryer is described, comprising a housing; a drum rotating about a horizontal axis and putting articles to be dried into the drum; a plurality of rollers on which the drum is placed and which carry the drum in such a way that the rollers rotate about their own axes by the movement of the drum during the drying process; and a frame on which the roller is rotatably mounted. The transport guard element has a first position in which the transport guard element is not in contact with the drum and a second position in which the transport guard element is in contact with the drum, in that the transport guard element is moved. The transport protection element is used for interrupting the contact of the roller and the roller. In one embodiment of the laundry dryer, the transport protection element comprises a shaft which extends from the housing to the drum; a stationary element arranged on the end of the shaft facing the drum and in contact with the drum when the transport guard element is in the second position; and a head portion disposed on a lower end portion of the shaft and capable of effecting rotation of the shaft.

Publication EP3124671a1 describes a laundry dryer with a washing drum equipped with a transport safeguard configured such that it can protect the drum from damage that may occur during transport of the laundry dryer. The laundry dryer includes a housing; a drum rotatably supported within the housing; a transport device connected with the housing and configured to be movable between an activated position in which the transport device fits into the drum and a deactivated position in which the transport device does not fit into the drum. The drum includes a first region having a first intensity and a second region having a second intensity, the second intensity being less than the first intensity. Furthermore, the transport device fits into a radially outer portion of the first region of the drum when the transport device is in the deactivated position.

In the case of known embodiments of dryers with transport protection, it is common for the drum to be lifted by the transport protection to a position of the drum remote from the rollers in order to decouple the drum from the rollers. This, however, leads to structural limitations, wherein sometimes it is also difficult for the user of the dryer to remove and install the transport shield. It should furthermore be ensured that the drum is lifted far enough, so that in the event of a strong impact, no possible contact between the roller and the drum, which could lead to damage, can still occur.

Disclosure of Invention

Against this background, the object of the present invention is to provide a dryer having a drum rotatably mounted in a housing and an improved transport protection. Preferably, the transport protection device can be handled as simply as possible and can be reused.

This object is achieved according to the invention by a dryer and a method for operating a dryer having the features of the respective independent claims. Preferred embodiments of the dryer according to the invention are set forth in the dependent claims, wherein preferred embodiments of the dryer according to the invention correspond to preferred embodiments of the method according to the invention, even if not explicitly stated here.

The subject matter of the invention is therefore a dryer comprising a housing, a drum which is mounted rotatably about a first axis of rotation in the housing for receiving laundry, wherein the drum is in contact with at least two roller arrangements during operation of the dryer, and a protective device for protecting against damage in the event of an impact on the dryer, wherein the protective device is configured for contact with the roller arrangements at least in the transport state of the dryer.

Since the dryer according to the invention has at least two roller devices, it is usual either to provide each roller device with a guard or to connect the guard to a plurality of roller devices. The following is described below for simplicity: a guard is in contact with a roller assembly.

In a preferred embodiment of the dryer according to the invention, the guard (which may also be referred to herein as a transport guard) comprises an active element which is configured to be introduced between the drum and at least one roller of the roller arrangement and thereby to effect decoupling of the roller from the drum.

According to the invention, a dryer is preferred, wherein the active element is mounted so as to be rotatable about a third axis. Preferably, the third axis is parallel to the first axis of rotation.

In a preferred embodiment of the dryer, the guard has an operating element which allows a user of the dryer to rotate the active element about the third axis in such a way that it engages between the roller and the drum. The operating element is not limited as long as the purpose can be achieved. The reaction element may, for example, be such that it can be operated directly by the user, i.e. without the need for tools. An example of this is a knob, which is preferably knurled for better grip. In particular a lever is also possible. However, it can also be provided that the user must use a tool which engages into the operating element. The arrangement of the operating elements can be arbitrary. The operating element is however advantageously arranged on the back wall.

According to the present invention, a dryer is preferable in which the acting element has a first curvature so that the acting element can move between the roller and the drum while rotating about the third axis. Usually, the drum is lifted slightly in this case.

Furthermore, a dryer is preferred in which the active element has a contact surface with a second curvature, which is opposite to the first curvature. "opposite" here means in particular that the symbols of the curvature sections differ; the actual degree of curvature may vary. In this embodiment, the second curvature preferably has a radius of curvature corresponding to the outer radius of the drum. The contact surface is thus adapted to the outer surface of the drum, so that a particularly large contact surface of optimum configuration is obtained.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the dryer according to the invention, the active element has a projection at the end facing away from the third shaft. This makes it possible to achieve a particularly advantageous introduction of the active element between the roller and the roller of the roller device. The inner surface of the projection can be suitably inclined in this case, so that the introduction of the reaction element is additionally supported.

The active element can be made of different materials, for example metal or synthetic materials. When the term "synthetic material" is used in this connection, the synthetic material then comprises not only the actual polymer but also additives which are of interest for improving the properties of the functional element, such as plasticizers or fillers, for example glass fibers. Preferably, the active element in this sense consists of a synthetic material. Then, preferably, the reaction element is integrally molded. The synthetic material is preferably a glass fibre reinforced polyamide or a glass fibre reinforced polypropylene. Furthermore, the protective device can advantageously be made of a synthetic material and in particular be integrally molded from this synthetic material.

The thickness of the contact piece having the contact face is preferably in the range of 2 to 3 mm.

In a preferred embodiment, the dryer has a light and/or sound display device which can indicate to a user of the dryer whether the protective device is activated. Furthermore, said light and/or sound display means can be implemented to display, for example, the operating parameters and/or the expected duration of the drying program for the user of the dryer

According to the invention, it is furthermore preferred that the still active transport protection, in particular the still active protection with the active element, i.e. the still active protection, can be fixed in the dryer. The still active guard can thus be determined, for example, by measuring the torque of the drive motor of the drum. The condition may then be displayed for the user on a display device.

In an alternative embodiment of the dryer according to the invention, the guard device comprises two springs on which the second rotary shaft of the roller device is supported. Here, the two springs are usually located on the second rotational axis on opposite sides of the roller, usually at the same distance from the roller. In this embodiment, the shaft of the roller device is thus supported in a sprung manner, wherein the spring is configured such that the deflection takes place only with a high force, which corresponds to an impact on the dryer. On the other hand, the spring is configured such that no deflection occurs even in the case of a fully loaded normal drying operation.

In this embodiment of the dryer, the roller arrangement and the two springs are preferably located in a roller housing which has an opening on the active surface facing the drum, said opening enabling direct contact between the roller and the drum.

In a preferred embodiment of the dryer, the active surface acts as a stop when the drum is pressed against the second pivot axis of the roller arrangement, which is mounted on a spring, as a result of the dryer being impinged upon and the spring is compressed in this case. Preferably, said active surface has a curvature coinciding with the curvature of the outer surface of the drum. Preferably, the radii of curvature are the same here.

The subject matter of the invention is furthermore a method for safeguarding a dryer for transport or for safeguarding the dryer before operation thereof, wherein the dryer comprises a housing, a drum which is mounted rotatably about a first axis of rotation in the housing and is intended to receive laundry, and a safeguard for protecting against damage in the event of an impact on the dryer, wherein the drum is in contact with at least two roller arrangements during operation of the dryer, wherein the safeguard is designed to be in contact with the roller arrangements at least in the transport state of the dryer, in that the safeguard comprises an active element which is designed to be introduced between the drum and at least one of the rollers of the roller arrangements and thus to cause a decoupling of the rollers and the drum, wherein,

the method for protecting the dryer for transport comprises a step (a) in which the active element is introduced between the drum and at least one roller and thereby decouples the drum and the roller, and

the method for disarming the dryer before the dryer is operated comprises a step (b) in which the active element is moved away from and thereby brought into direct contact between the drum and the at least one roller.

The invention has a number of advantages. The invention thus provides a dryer whose sensitive components cannot be designed more stable with respect to the maximum load, for example during transport tests. Generally, there is less risk of transport damage and less noise due to damping performed last. In addition, the dryer according to the present invention can also be transported many times, thereby enabling multiple movement.

Drawings

Further details of the invention follow from the following description of embodiments of a dryer and a method for operating a dryer according to the invention. Reference is made here to figures 1 to 8.

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of essential parts of the invention of a conventional dryer. Fig. 1(a) shows a drum having two roller arrangements belonging thereto. Fig. 1(b) shows indentation positions, i.e., dents, at contact positions between the drum and the roller, which are generated due to the impact of the dryer.

Fig. 2 shows a detail view of a first embodiment of a dryer according to the invention with a guard with an active element before being introduced between the drum and the roller. Fig. 2(a) shows a side view and fig. 2(b) shows a perspective view.

Fig. 3 shows a close-up view of a first embodiment of a dryer according to the invention with a guard having an active element after introduction between the drum and the roller. Fig. 3(a) shows a side view and fig. 3(b) shows a perspective view.

Fig. 4 shows a close-up view of a first embodiment of the dryer according to the invention, again, with a guard having an active element after introduction between the drum and the roller. Fig. 4(a) shows a perspective view and fig. 4(b) shows a side view of the drum of the dryer, i.e. in the direction of the rollers.

Fig. 5 shows a front view of a drum according to a second embodiment of the invention, in which the axes of rotation (second axes of rotation) of the two roller devices are each supported on two springs.

Fig. 6 shows, for a drum of a second embodiment of the dryer according to the invention, an arrangement of two roller devices in a roller housing, each of which is supported on two springs, during an operating state of the dryer. Fig. 6(a) and 6(b) show top views of the left or right roller device.

Fig. 7 also shows the arrangement of the two spring-mounted roller arrangements in the roller housing during the operating state of the dryer for the drum of the second embodiment of the dryer according to the invention. Fig. 7(a) shows a view in the direction of the second axis of rotation, i.e. the axis of rotation of the roller. Fig. 7(b) shows a view in the direction of the roller.

Fig. 8 shows the arrangement of the two spring-mounted roller devices in the roller housing during the transport state of the dryer for a drum of a second embodiment of the dryer according to the invention. Fig. 8(a) shows a view in the direction of the second axis of rotation, i.e. the axis of rotation of the roller. Fig. 8(b) shows a view in the direction of the roller.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of essential parts of a conventional dryer in which a drum and a roller device are rigidly arranged. Fig. 1(a) shows a drum 1 having two roller arrangements 2 associated therewith, wherein the roller arrangements 2 each have a roller 6 and a second axis of rotation 7. Fig. 1(b) shows indentation locations 22, i.e., dents, at the contact locations between the drum 1 and the roller 6, which are generated due to the dryer being impacted.

Fig. 2 shows a detail of a first embodiment of the dryer according to the invention with a guard 4 with an active element 5 before introduction between the drum 1 and the roller 6. Fig. 2(a) shows a side view and fig. 2(b) shows a perspective view.

The active element 5 is designed to be introduced between the drum 1 and the roller 6 of the roller arrangement 2 shown here and thus to decouple the roller 6 from the drum 1. The roller device 2 comprises a roller 6 and a second axis of rotation 7. The active element 5 is mounted so as to be rotatable about a third axis 13, the third axis 13 being parallel to a first rotational axis, not shown here, which is the rotational axis of the drum 3.

In the embodiment of the dryer according to the invention shown in fig. 2, the protective device 4 has an operating element 8, which is configured here as a knurled wheel, which allows the user of the dryer to rotate the active element 5 about the third axis 13 by rotating the operating element 8 in such a way that the active element 5 fits between the roller 6 and the drum 1. The flag 19 of the open state of the protective device 4 and the flag 20 of the closed state of the protective device 4 are located next to the operating element 8. The pointer 21 of the state of the guard 4 is located on the operating element 8.

The active element 5 shown in fig. 2 has a first curvature 9, so that the active element can move between the roller 6 and the drum 1 when it rotates about the third axis 13. Furthermore, the active element 5 has a contact surface 10 with a second curvature 11, which is opposite the first curvature 9. Here, the second curvature 11 is fitted to the drum 1 in such a manner that the second curvature 11 has a radius of curvature that coincides with the outer radius of the drum 1. Furthermore, the active element 5 has a projection 12 on the end facing away from the third shaft 13, which facilitates the insertion of the active element 5 between the drum 1 and the roller 6.

The active element 5 consists of a synthetic material, which here is either a glass-fiber-reinforced polyamide or a glass-fiber-reinforced polypropylene. The thickness of the contact 14 with the contact face 10 is here 2.5 mm.

Fig. 3 shows a detail of a first embodiment of the dryer according to the invention with a guard 4 with an active element 5 after introduction between the drum 1 and the roller 6. Fig. 3(a) shows a side view and fig. 3(b) shows a perspective view. The same reference numerals have the same meaning in fig. 3 as in fig. 2.

Fig. 4 shows a close-up view of a first embodiment of the dryer according to the invention with a guard 4 having an active element 5 after introduction between the drum 1 and the roller 6. Fig. 4(a) shows a perspective view and fig. 4(b) shows a side view of the drum of the dryer, i.e. in the direction of the rollers. The same reference numerals have the same meaning in fig. 4 as in fig. 2.

Fig. 5 shows a front view of a drum 1 according to a second embodiment of the invention, in which the axes of rotation 7 (second axes of rotation) of the two roller arrangements 2 are each supported on two springs 15. And 3 denotes a first rotation axis and a rotation axis of the drum 1. The roller housings 16 in which the roller device 2, the two springs 15 and the respective second axes of rotation 7 of the rollers 6 supported on the springs 15 are arranged in each case.

Fig. 6 shows the arrangement of two roller arrangements 2 in a roller housing 16, each supported on two springs 15, for a drum 1 according to a second embodiment of the dryer according to the invention during the operating state of the dryer. Fig. 6(a) and 6(b) show top views of the left or right roller device. 18 denotes an opening in the active surface 17 of the roller housing 16. In addition, the same reference numerals in fig. 6 have the same meanings as in fig. 5.

Fig. 7 also shows the arrangement of the roller arrangement 2 supported on two springs 15 in the roller housing 16 during the operating state of the dryer for the drum 1 of the second embodiment of the dryer according to the invention. Here, the roller 6 protrudes from the opening 18 so that the roller housing 16 does not contact the drum 1. Fig. 7(a) shows a view in the direction of the second axis of rotation, i.e. the axis of rotation of the roller. Fig. 7(b) shows a view in the direction of the roller. In addition, the same reference numerals in fig. 7 have the same meanings as in fig. 5 or 6.

Fig. 8 shows the arrangement of the roller arrangement 2 supported on two springs 15 in the roller housing 16 during the transport state of the dryer for a drum 1 of a second embodiment of the dryer according to the invention. Here, the roller 6 is moved toward the spring 15 by the impact of the dryer. Thereby, the drum 1 comes into contact with the roller housing 16, which thus acts as a stopper. Fig. 8(a) shows a view in the direction of the second axis of rotation, i.e. the axis of rotation of the roller. Fig. 8(b) shows a view in the direction of the roller. Further, the same reference numerals in fig. 8 have the same meanings as in the foregoing drawings.

List of reference numerals

1 roller

2 roller device

3 a first rotating shaft; rotating shaft of roller

4 protective device

5 acting element

6 contact roller

7 a second rotating shaft; rotating shaft of roller

8 operating element

9 first curvature

10 contact surface

11 second curvature

12 projection

13 a third axis; rotating shaft of action element

14 contact

15 spring

16 roller casing

17 (of the roller housing) active surface

18 (in the active surface of the roller housing) opening

19 flag for the open state of the guard

20 flag for closed (open) state of the guard

21 indicator of the state of the guard

22 indentation sites (indentations) in the cylinder at the contact points between the cylinder and the roller

Claims

1. Dryer comprising a housing, a drum (1) rotatably supported about a first axis of rotation (3) in the housing for receiving laundry, and a protection device (4) for protecting against damage in the event of a shock to the dryer, wherein the drum (1) is in contact with at least two roller devices (2) during operation of the dryer,

characterized in that the protective device (4) is configured to be in contact with the roller device (2) at least in a transport state of the dryer, the protective device (4) comprising an active element (5) configured to be introduced between the drum (1) and at least one roller (6) of the roller device (2) and thereby cause a decoupling of the roller (6) and the drum (1).

2. Dryer according to claim 1, characterized in that the active element (5) is rotatably supported about a third axis (13).

3. A dryer according to claim 2, characterized in that said third shaft (13) is parallel to said first rotation axis (3).

4. A dryer according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that said guard (4) has an operating element (8) which allows the user of the dryer to turn said active element (5) about said third axis (13) in such a way that said active element (5) is fitted between the roller (6) and the drum (1).

5. A dryer according to any one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that said active element (5) has a first curvature (9) so that it can move between the roller (6) and the drum (1) when rotating about said third axis (13).

6. Dryer according to claim 5, characterised in that said active element (5) has a contact surface (10) with a second curvature (11) opposite to the first curvature (9).

7. The dryer according to claim 6, wherein the second curvature portion (11) has a curvature radius in conformity with an outer radius of the drum (1).

8. Dryer according to any one of claims 2, 3, 6, 7, characterised in that the active element (5) has a projection (12) on the end facing away from the third shaft (13).

9. Dryer according to any one of claims 1-3, 6, 7, characterised in that the active element (5) consists of a synthetic material.

10. The dryer according to claim 9, wherein said synthetic material is glass fiber reinforced polyamide or glass fiber reinforced polypropylene.

11. Dryer according to claim 6, characterized in that the thickness of the contact piece (14) with the contact surface (10) is in the range of 2 to 3 mm.

12. A method for safeguarding a dryer for transport or for safeguarding the dryer before operation thereof, wherein the dryer comprises a housing, a drum (1) which is mounted rotatably about a first rotational axis (3) in the housing for receiving laundry, and a safeguard (4) for protecting against damage in the event of an impact on the dryer, wherein the drum (1) is in contact with at least two roller devices (2) during operation of the dryer, wherein the safeguard (4) is configured for contact with the roller devices (2) at least in the transport state of the dryer, in that the safeguard (4) comprises an active element (5) which is configured for introduction between the drum (1) and at least one roller (6) of the roller devices (2) and thereby causes a decoupling of the roller (6) from the drum (1), wherein the content of the first and second substances,

-the method for shielding said dryer for transport comprises a step (a) in which said active element (5) is introduced between said drum (1) and at least one roller (6) and thereby causes the decoupling of the drum (1) and the roller (6), and

-the method for disarming said dryer before operation thereof comprises a step (b) in which said active element (5) is moved away from between said drum (1) and at least one roller (6) and thereby causes a direct contact between the drum (1) and the roller (6).

13. Dryer comprising a housing, a drum (1) rotatably supported about a first axis of rotation (3) in the housing for receiving laundry, and a protection device (4) for protecting against damage in the event of a shock to the dryer, wherein the drum (1) is in contact with at least two roller devices (2) during operation of the dryer,

characterized in that the guard (4) is configured to be in contact with the roller arrangement (2) at least in the transport state of the dryer, the guard (4) comprising two springs (15) on which the second rotational axis (7) of the roller arrangement (2) is supported.

14. A dryer according to claim 13, characterized in that the roller device (2) and the two springs (15) are located in a roller housing (16) having an opening (18) on an active surface (17) facing the drum (1), said opening enabling direct contact between the roller (6) and the drum (1).