CN116905200A

CN116905200A - Washing machine with drum support

Info

Publication number: CN116905200A
Application number: CN202310404818.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: G·亚尔奇内尔; T·穆特卢
Original assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Current assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Priority date: 2022-04-19
Filing date: 2023-04-17
Publication date: 2023-10-20

Abstract

The invention relates to a washing machine (1) comprising a housing (11) for enclosing a rotatable drum (13) arranged to receive articles, the drum (13) being supported by a drum support member (14) comprising a plurality of arms (141) extending from a hub (142) to receive a drive shaft (15) having a head (151), characterized in that the hub (142) further comprises a recess (1421) forming a perforated surface (1422), the head (151) of the drive shaft (15) comprising a protrusion (1511) forming a protruding surface (1512) for coupling with the hub (142).

Description

Washing machine with drum support

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a washing machine having a drum supporter and a driving shaft.

Background

The washing machine includes a drum in which washing is performed. The drum is supported by a generally star-shaped drum support member having a plurality of arms extending from a hub (also referred to as a bearing shell) to receive a drive shaft that drives the drum by receiving power from a washing machine motor. Typically, the connection of the drive shaft and the drum support member is provided by molding or injection molding. Over time and in use, the connection of the drive shaft and the hub begins to loosen and the drive shaft begins to move axially and radially in the hub. This results in malfunction of the movement of the drum during the washing cycle. In addition, the tight connection between the drum support member made of a composite material including plastic and the driving shaft made of steel is difficult to configure. Furthermore, if there is no effective and firm connection between the support member and the driving shaft, water may enter between the drum support member and the driving shaft, resulting in malfunction of the washing machine and rust of the driving shaft.

Document EP1506333A1 discloses a drum for a laundry machine, preferably a washing machine, into which drum laundry is put, which drum is capable of being washed by a rotational movement about its central axis, the drum preferably being made of plastic, comprising a main body and a rear cover, wherein said rear cover comprises a circular rim surrounding the main body, the main body comprising a rim receptacle in which the rear cover rim is located, the main body and the rear cover being interconnected, without any protrusions being formed on the outer surface of the drum.

The present invention provides further improvements, additional advantages or alternatives to the prior art.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is to provide a drum support member and a drive shaft which can be connected in a safe and secure manner to prevent movement of the drive shaft.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a tight connection between a drum support member made of a composite material including plastic and a drive shaft made of steel.

In order to achieve these objects, the present invention provides a washing machine comprising a housing for enclosing a rotatable drum arranged to receive articles, the drum being supported by a drum support member comprising a plurality of arms extending from a hub to receive a drive shaft having a head, as an improvement, the hub further comprising a recess forming a perforated surface, the head of the drive shaft comprising a protrusion forming a protruding surface for engagement with the hub. Thus, the drum support member and the drive shaft are connected in a tight and safe manner. The perforated surface of the hub and the protruding surface of the head of the drive shaft are locked to each other. Thus, when the drum support member is made of a composite material including plastic or fiberglass and the drive shaft is made of steel, the connection is still safe and does not loosen. This also prevents axial and radial movement of the drive shaft in the hub. Thus, the possibility of water or other material entering between the hub and the drive shaft head is also eliminated.

In one possible embodiment of the invention, the recess has a diamond shape. Thus, the plurality of recesses are overlaid on the hub of the drum support member, forming a perforated surface. The perforated surfaces allow the corresponding protruding surfaces to be received and interlocked. Thus, the connection between the perforated surface of the hub and the protruding surface of the drive shaft head is stable and resistant to high operating torque forces during washing. The diamond shape of the recess provides a higher strength to the connection of the drive shaft and the drum support member.

In one possible embodiment of the invention, the protrusions have a diamond shape for engaging with the recesses. The shape of the protruding portion corresponds to the shape of the recessed portion. They are thus combined in a firm and tight manner. Therefore, the torque obtained from the motor of the washing machine does not loosen the connection between the drum support member and the driving shaft during the washing process. Due to the diamond shape of the recesses and protrusions, the hub and the head of the drive shaft interlock tightly together.

In one possible embodiment of the invention, the recesses and protrusions have a polygonal shape. Thus, the recess and the protrusion have corresponding shapes, so that they are locked to each other in a tight manner. The connection between the hub and the drive shaft head is thus strong and sturdy.

In one possible embodiment of the invention, the drum support member is made of PA6-65% glass fiber. Therefore, the drum support member is light in weight, and its structure is strong. Accordingly, the drum support member supports the drum during the washing cycle without adding additional weight to the total weight of the washing machine.

In one possible embodiment of the invention, the drive shaft is made of steel. Thus, the drive shaft is able to receive torque from the washing machine motor and transmit it to the drum for rotational movement during the washing cycle.

In one possible embodiment of the invention, the drum support member comprises three arms for supporting the drum. Accordingly, the arm portion of the drum support member extends on the rear wall of the drum to strengthen the structure of the drum and to strengthen the support of the drum.

In this context, the terms "washing" and "washing cycle" are to be understood in particular as the operating state of the washing apparatus in which the washing program is active. In the "washing" process, laundry such as clothes is placed in a drum of the washing machine, and a door of the washing machine is closed.

In this case, the directions of "up", "down", "front", "rear", "horizontal", "vertical", "upward", "downward", "inner", "outer", "inward", "outward", and the like are used to describe the positions and directions of the intended use and the intended arrangement of the washing machine, and the positions and directions of the user before the washing machine is closed and looking toward the apparatus direction.

Each of the possible embodiments disclosed herein may be combined with other possible embodiments disclosed herein without any technical limitations.

Drawings

The drawings are only for purposes of providing a better understanding of the present invention and are presented in brief description. The brief description of the drawings is for a better understanding of the present invention and is not intended to define the scope of protection or to explain the context of the scope without description.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a washing machine according to the present invention;

fig. 2 is a sectional view of a drum of a washing machine according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a hub of a drum support member according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of a drive shaft according to the present invention;

figure 5 is an isometric view of a drive shaft and drum support member according to the present invention.

Detailed Description

In this detailed description, in order to make the subject matter more comprehensible, the subject matter is explained with reference to examples without any restrictive effect.

The present invention relates to a washing machine 1 comprising a drum 13 rotatably arranged in a housing 11 of the washing machine 1. As shown in fig. 1, the drum 13 is accessible via a door 12 attached to the housing 11 of the washing machine 1. The user opens the door 12 through the handle 121 and loads the laundry into the drum 13 for washing. During the washing process, the door 12 remains closed.

Fig. 2 shows the drum 13, the drum support member 14, and the driving shaft 15. The driving shaft 15 receives torque from a motor, not shown in the drawings, and transmits it to the drum 13 so as to rotate the drum 13 during a washing cycle. The drum 13 is closed by a rear wall 131. A drum support member 14 is provided between the drive shaft 15 and the rear wall 131 of the drum 13. The drum support member 14 is coupled to the rear wall 131 of the drum 13, and the driving shaft 15 is coupled to the drum support member 14. The roller support member 14 includes at least one arm 141 extending from a hub 142. The drum support member 14 includes three arm portions 141 for supporting the rear wall 131 of the drum 13. The arm 141 of the roller support member 14 extends away from the hub 142 because the hub 142 is located in the center of the roller support member 14. Hub 142 is hollow for receiving head 151 of drive shaft 15.

Fig. 3 shows the hub 142 and its internal structure. Hub 142 is formed with a plurality of recesses 1421 forming a perforated surface 1422. The recess 1421 is diamond-shaped in shape. A plurality of recessed features 1421 are grouped together to form a perforated surface 1422 configuration of hub 142. The shape of the recess 1421 may be polygonal.

As shown in fig. 4, the drive shaft 15 includes a head 151 and a body 152. The head 151 of the drive shaft 15 is inserted into the hub 142. The body 152 is in contact with a motor, not shown, for transmitting power and torque to the drum 13 to provide rotation. The head 151 of the drive shaft 15 includes a plurality of protrusions 1511 forming a protrusion surface 1512. The protruding portion 1511 has a diamond shape. The protrusion 1511 is combined with the recess 1421 to provide a tight connection between the drum support member 14 and the driving shaft 15.

Fig. 5 shows the drum support member 14 receiving the drive shaft 15. The head 151 of the drive shaft 15 is inserted into the hub 142. The projection 1511 enters the recess 1421 for interlocking of the drive shaft 15. The shape of the protrusion 1511 and the recess 1421 is diamond. The shape of the protrusion 1511 and the recess 1421 may be a polygonal shape. The drum support member 14 is made of PA6-65% fiberglass. The drive shaft 15 is made of steel. The combination of the drum support member 14 and the drive shaft 15 is safe and compact because the protruding surface 1512 of the head 151 of the drive shaft 15 and the perforated surface 1422 of the hub 142 of the drum support member 14 are locked to each other.

List of reference numerals

1 washing machine

11 outer casing

12 doors

121 handle 13 roller

131 rear wall

14 roller support member

141 arm

142 hub

1421 recess

1422 perforated surface 15 drive shaft

151 head

1511 protruding part

1512 protruding surface 152 body

Claims

1. A washing machine (1) comprising a housing (11) for enclosing a rotatable drum (13) arranged to receive articles, the drum (13) being supported by a drum support member (14) comprising a plurality of arms (141) extending from a hub (142) to receive a drive shaft (15) having a head (151), characterized in that the hub (142) further comprises a recess (1421) forming a perforated surface (1422), the head (151) of the drive shaft (15) comprising a protrusion (1511) forming a protrusion surface (1512) for coupling with the hub (142).

2. The washing machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein the recess (1421) has a diamond shape.

3. The washing machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein the protruding surface (1511) has a diamond shape for bonding with the recess (1421).

4. The washing machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein the recess (1421) and the projection (1511) have a polygonal shape.

5. The washing machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein the drum support member (14) is made of PA6-65% glass fiber.

6. The washing machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein the drive shaft (15) is made of steel.

7. The washing machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein the drum support member (14) comprises three arms (141) for supporting the drum (13).