DE102012204560A1 - Laundry drum with a structure pattern and laundry treatment machine with such a laundry drum - Google Patents

Abstract

A laundry drum 5 for a laundry treatment machine 6 has a drum shell 4. The drum shell 4 has a structural pattern 3. The pattern 3 is based on a Penrose tiling 3 ', which is composed of a plurality of tiles 1, 2. Further, a laundry treating machine 6 serving for washing and / or drying laundry is provided with such a washing drum 5.

Description

The invention relates to a laundry drum for a laundry treatment machine, which has a drum shell with a textured pattern, and a laundry treatment machine with such a laundry drum. Specifically, the invention relates to the field of washing machines, washer-dryers and clothes dryers.

From the EP 1 458 919 B1 and the EP 1 974 083 B1 in each case a drum for a laundry treatment machine is known. The laundry drum is rotatably mounted within a housing of the laundry treatment machine and has a bottom plate and a jacket. These two components are made of sheet metal and are provided individually or both with a directed towards the drum interior vault structure. In order to make the components stiffer, to improve their drainage ability and to promote their appearance, the arch structure is formed from directed towards the drum interior spherical caps. Furthermore, sufficiently large flood holes are provided, which are suitably arranged. The arrangement promotes the rigidity of the thus structured drum shell. Furthermore, provided on the inner surface of the drum shell driver can be provided, wherein the surface of the driver is also provided with a buckling structure of knobs.

At the time of the EP 1 458 919 B1 or the EP 1 974 083 B1 known drum of the drum shell may be excited to vibrate in operation, which bend this. This may lead to deviations from the ideal cylinder-shaped starting shape as a result of the vibrations. Since the drum is disposed within a tub, in extreme cases, the drum shell could come into contact with the surrounding tub. Also, therefore, a sufficiently large distance between the drum shell and the tub must be specified. Because of the generally very limited space usually the correspondingly large predetermined distance between the tub and the drum shell at the expense of a possible drum diameter. Furthermore, the material thickness of the drum shell must be sufficiently large.

The U.S. Patent 4,133,152 inventor Roger Penrose describes a closed, non-periodic tiling of a surface by means of several elements called "tiles". The surface may be a floor or wall of a building or an instructive puzzle-like game. Such nonperiodic tilings are now commonly referred to as "Penrose tilings". Also from the WO 2001/085274 A1 go out such tilings.

The object of the invention is to provide a laundry drum for a laundry treatment machine and a laundry treatment machine with a laundry drum, which have an improved structure. Specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide a laundry drum in which possible vibrations are reduced, and a laundry treating machine with such a laundry drum.

The object is achieved by a laundry drum for a laundry treatment machine and by a laundry treatment machine according to corresponding independent claim. Preferred developments of the laundry drum and the laundry treatment machine result from the dependent claims, the following description and attached drawings, preferred developments of the laundry drum correspond to preferred developments of the laundry treatment machine and vice versa, and this even if it is not explicitly indicated herein.

The object is therefore achieved by a laundry drum for a laundry treatment machine, wherein a drum shell is provided, which drum shell has a structural pattern and wherein the structural pattern is based at least in sections on a Penrose tiling. Also, the object is achieved by a laundry treatment machine, which is used in particular for washing and / or drying laundry, with such a laundry drum.

The laundry drum is particularly suitable for laundry treatment machines that are designed as a washing machine or washer-dryer. Especially with a spin-up of the laundry drum, natural frequencies have the effect that it can lead to relatively strong influences on the laundry drum. Due to the design of the drum shell with the structural pattern, which is based on the Penrose tiling, such natural frequencies are avoided. For, in contrast to regular embossing and hole structures, symmetries are at least largely avoided in the structural pattern provided according to the invention. Even if the structural pattern of the drum shell is only partially based on the Penrose tiling, there is an effective suppression of vibrations. This has a particularly favorable effect on the stability requirements. With regard to a given stability, a material saving can be achieved thereby. For example, the drum shell may be formed from a metal sheet. Then For example, the sheet thickness can be reduced. Furthermore, by reducing the oscillation amplitude that occurs, the space predetermined, for example, within a tub can be better utilized. Because by reducing the vibrations, for example, the diameter of the laundry drum can be increased. This also increases the capacity of the laundry drum. This allows larger loading volumes.

For the increase of the drum stability is particularly relevant that there is no longer straight line and thus potential crease line along which a distortion-free bending of the component and certainly not kinking would be possible. Thus, an irreversible, for example, by kinks, or reversible, so elastic, deformation of the laundry drum compared to regular structuring and embossing can be significantly reduced by the structure based on the Penrose tiling.

Furthermore, there is the advantage that acoustic vibration modes with wavelengths in small integer fractions of the component dimensions or small integer multiples thereof are reduced. This has the effect of reducing the noise emission.

In addition, the laundry treatment can be improved. Because the transmission of a periodic pattern when rolling, especially reversing, the laundry or repeated turning the laundry drum to spin can be avoided from the outset. Thus, by design, there is no preferred point for the mechanics entry in a laundry bale or the like. An unfavorable mechanics entry, which occurs, for example, when a laundry bale always falls back to the same place, is thus avoided.

Finally, the laundry drum according to the invention offers a special appearance of the surface, which differs significantly from the known, based on periodic models structures.

Thus, the non-periodicity of the structure pattern provides significant advantages. The Penrose tiling is characterized by a global non-periodicity. It can not be matched with itself by any symmetry operation, such as displacement, rotation, reflection, glide reflection, and combinations thereof. This nonperiodicity translates into the structural pattern that is based on the Penrose tiling. In this case, however, the structure pattern still allows adjustments to the particular application, for example by the design of structural elements of the structure pattern. Furthermore, the Penrose tiling of different tiles and in different ways or by the selection of the section of the Penrose tiling for the areal limited structure pattern can be adapted to the particular application. In particular, a tile size can serve as a parameter for the Penrose tiling.

The structural pattern can in particular be designed by embossing in the drum shell. In this case, structural elements can be designed which extend inward, outward or both inward and outward depending on the application. In particular, an alternate embodiment is conceivable, wherein juxtaposed structural elements are alternately formed inwardly or outwardly. The height of the structural elements can be suitably varied.

Advantageously, the Penrose tiling is composed of a variety of tiles. Specifically, the Penrose tiling may be composed of a first tile type and a second tile type, the first tile type being based on a rhombus having corner angles of 36 ° and 144 °, and the second tile type being based on a rhombus having corner angles of 72 ° and 108 ° ,

In this case, it is further advantageous for the structure pattern to have structural elements that are each configured within a tile of the Penrose tiling. In this case, a structural element of the structure pattern can thus be selected for each tile. However, it is also conceivable that no structural elements are provided on individual tiles.

It is also advantageous here that at least a part of the structural elements is configured as inwardly shaped truncated pyramids and / or as inwardly formed domes. The calottes can be configured in particular as spherical caps. A height of the structural elements designed as truncated pyramids or calottes may be, for example, about 1 cm. The structural elements can ensure the entrainment of the laundry.

Depending on the application, the laundry drum can thereby be configured without additional driver. Especially in this case, the structural pattern extending over the entire circumference of the laundry drum can be based on exactly one Penrose tiling. Individual or all structural elements can act as a driver by a suitable choice of their size and shape.

It is also advantageous here that the structural pattern has at least one group of structure elements arranged next to one another, which form a driver. This group of structural elements may in particular be designed with a greater height than the other structural elements which do not form a driver.

It is also advantageous that at least a part of the structural elements is designed as outwardly shaped pyramids. In this case, it is also advantageous that at least part of the outwardly shaped pyramids each have a pyramid tip with a drainage hole. The outwardly shaped structural elements may for example have a height of about 0.5 cm. A drainage hole is preferably provided approximately in the middle of a tile of Penrose tiling. Specifically, with diamond-shaped tiles, the drainage hole may be located at the center of the diamond, which is then outermost with respect to the drum axis on the feature. For diamond-shaped tiles, for example, the side length can be in the range of a few centimeters.

It is also advantageous, however, that the drum shell is divided into several sections, as viewed in one direction of rotation, and that each section has a structure pattern based on the Penrose tiling. Here, the sections of the drum shell can be configured with at least substantially matching structure patterns. This embodiment can be used especially with laundry drums with separate drivers. In this case, one of the sections with the structural pattern based on the Penrose tiling, for example, may be provided between any two consecutive drivers in the direction of rotation. As a result, the area between each two carriers is then structurally structured in a quasi periodic manner, whereby the structure pattern can be repeated in the course of simpler production or design in each section. In the strict mathematical sense, the drum shell with the structural pattern has a symmetry with respect to a full revolution of 360 °. If several sections with identical structural patterns realized, then the drum shell has a periodicity, which is a fraction of 360 °. However, with respect to each section results in a non-periodic design, which may already result in respect of the particular application, a sufficient vibration damping.

It is also advantageous that the structural pattern has drainage channels which extend in each case along joined edges of tiles of the Penrose tiling. Specifically, a system of drainage channels can be configured between structural elements designed as inwardly shaped truncated pyramids and / or as internally shaped domes. In this case, it is further advantageous that the pattern has drainage holes which are respectively arranged at corners of the joined tiles of the Penrose tiling. The drainage holes can in this case in particular with respect to drainage channels, which are arranged along the edges, are arranged advantageously.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail in the following description with reference to the figures of the accompanying drawing, in which corresponding elements are provided with corresponding reference numerals. Show it:

1 a tile according to a first tile type of a Penrose tiling for a structural pattern of a drum shell of a laundry drum for a laundry treating machine according to an embodiment;

2 a tile corresponding to a second tile type of Penrose tiling for the texture pattern according to this embodiment;

3 the Penrose tiling of the embodiment on a limited area and

4 the drum shell of the laundry treatment machine of the embodiment in a schematic, developed and excerpted representation.

1 shows a tile 1 according to a first tile type of Penrose tiling 3 ' for a structural pattern 3 a drum mantle 4 a laundry drum 5 for a laundry treatment machine 6 ( 4 ) according to an embodiment. The tile 1 has edges 7 . 8th . 9 . 10 on, each of the same length. The length of the edges 7 to 10 is one unit of length (LE). The length unit LE is selected with respect to the particular application. For example, the length unit LE can be specified in the range of a few cm.

The tile 1 also has corners 11 . 12 . 13 . 14 on. The corner 11 is located between the edges 7 . 10 , The corner 12 is located between the edges 7 . 8th , The corner 13 is located between the edges 8th . 9 , The corner 14 is located between the edges 9 . 10 , At the corners 11 to 14 arise between the respective edges 7 to 10 corner angle 15 . 16 . 17 . 18 , The corner angles 15 . 17 at the edges 11 . 13 each amount to 36 °. The corner angles 16 . 18 at the corners 12 . 14 each amount to 144 °. Thus, the corner angles 15 to 18 each predetermined as an integer multiple of 36 °.

2 shows a tile 2 according to a second tile type of Penrose tiling 3 ' for the structural pattern 3 of in 4 illustrated drum shell 4 the laundry drum 5 for the laundry treatment machine 6 according to the embodiment. The tile 2 has edges 20 . 21 . 22 . 23 on. The edges 20 to 23 bump into corners 24 . 25 . 26 . 27 the tile 2 together. This is the corner 24 between the edges 20 . 23 , The corner 25 is located between the edges 20 . 21 , The corner 26 is located between the edges 21 . 22 , The corner 27 is located between the edges 22 . 23 , At the corners 24 to 27 are each corner angle 28 . 29 . 30 . 31 specified. The corner angles 28 . 30 at the corners 24 . 26 each amount to 72 °. The corner angles 29 . 31 at the corners 25 . 27 each amount to 108 °. Thus, the corner angles 28 to 31 each chosen as an integer multiple of 36 °. The edges 20 to 23 each have an edge length of one unit length LE.

The tiles 1 . 2 are thus as diamond-shaped tiles 1 . 2 designed. From the tiles 1 . 2 Can the Penrose tiling 3 ' be composed as it is in the 3 is illustrated. This can be a Penrose tiling 3 ' from a variety of tiles 1 . 2 , which consist of the first tile type and the second tile type, are joined together. When joining the variety of tiles 1 . 2 However, a rule for joining must be observed. This rule is due to constructive joining elements 32 . 33 . 34 . 35 which can be considered as conceptual help constructs. At the edge 7 the tile 1 and on the edge 23 the tile 2 are simple bulges 32 intended. At the edge 8th the tile 1 and on the edge 20 the tile 2 are simple notches 33 intended. The simple bulge 32 and the simple notch 33 are assigned to each other. The join rule now states that the tiles 1 . 2 can be attached to each other so that the simple bulge 32 in the simple notch 33 intervenes. This means that the tile 1 with the edge 7 to the edge 20 the tile 2 can be added. Likewise, the tile can 2 with her edge 23 to the edge 8th the tile 1 be added. Two tiles 1 The first tile type can also be attached to each other, namely at the edges 7 . 8th , Correspondingly, two tiles can be used 2 from the second tile on the edges 20 . 23 be attached to each other.

According to this scheme are double bulges 34 on the edge 9 the tile 1 as well as the edge 22 the tile 2 intended. And two notches 35 are on the edge 10 the tile 1 as well as on the edge 21 the tile 2 intended. The double bulge 34 corresponds to the double notch 35 so that related edges can be attached to each other.

Thus, the constructive elements, namely the simple bulges 32 , the simple notches 33 , the double bulges 34 and the double notches 35 , a vivid way to set the rule for joining a variety of tiles 1 . 2 according to the first tile type and the second tile type, so that a Penrose tiling arises. This ensures that a non-periodic tiling arises.

It should be noted that the Penrose tiling can also be formed from differently shaped tiles. Here, the number of tile types is not necessarily the same 2 ,

3 shows the Penrose tiling 3 ' of the embodiment on a limited area 40 , Here are the simplification of the illustration, only the tiles 1 . 2 characterized. Considering the rules for joining, for example, in the 3 illustrated Penrose tiling 3 ' arise, the area 40 chooses a certain section. Depending on the selected section, the size of the area 40 and the specification of the unit length LE can be adapted to different drum shells 4 and use cases.

4 shows the drum shell 4 the laundry drum 5 the laundry treatment machine 6 of the embodiment in a schematic, developed and excerpted representation. In this embodiment, the drum shell 4 divided into several sections, of which in the 4 the section 41 is shown. The drum shell 4 has the structure pattern 3 on. The structural pattern 3 based in the section 41 on the Penrose tiling 3 ' , Here are exemplary tiles 1 . 2 the Penrose tiling 3 ' illustrated by broken lines. The Penrose tiling 3 ' is in this embodiment of a variety of tiles 1 . 2 composed of the first tile type and the second tile type. To simplify the illustration here are only the tiles 1 . 2 illustrated.

The structural pattern 3 has structural elements 42 . 43 on. The structural element 42 is here within the tile 1 the Penrose tiling 3 ' designed. The structural element 43 is inside the tile 2 designed the Penrose tiling. The structural elements 42 . 43 For example, they can be configured as inwardly shaped truncated pyramids or as inwardly formed domes. A part of the structural elements may also be designed as outwardly shaped structural elements, in particular as outwardly shaped pyramids, be configured.

For illustration is a structural element 44 represented as an outwardly shaped pyramid 44 is designed. The structural element 44 has a pyramid tip 45 on. At the pyramid point 45 is a drainage hole 46 designed. Here, in relation to the particular application, any combination of suitable structural elements 42 to 44 possible.

In this embodiment, the edge 7 the tile 1 to the edge 20 the tile 2 added. The structural pattern 3 can have a variety of drainage channels 47 have, each along along joined edges, in particular the edges 7 . 20 , of tiles, especially the tiles 1 . 2 , the Penrose tiling 3 ' extend. Furthermore, it is advantageous that the structural pattern 3 drainage holes 48 . 49 . 50 . 51 . 52 . 53 has, in each case at corners 11 to 14 . 24 to 27 of the joined tiles 1 . 2 the Penrose tiling 3 ' are arranged. To simplify the illustration are in the 4 only the drainage holes 48 to 53 at the corners 11 to 14 . 24 to 27 characterized.

Thus, a network of drainage channels 47 be realized, in which a plurality of drainage holes 48 to 53 is arranged.

The number of tiles 1 . 2 and thus the number of structural elements 42 to 44 in the section 41 can be influenced by the choice of the length unit LE. Specifically, a significantly larger number of structural elements 42 to 44 be provided as it is in the 4 is shown.

In this embodiment are drivers 60 . 61 the laundry drum 5 as a separate driver 60 . 61 realized. However, one or more drivers can also 60 . 61 through a group 62 of structural elements 62A to 62E be replaced. This group 62 then forms a driver 62 , The structural elements can for this purpose a greater height than the other structural elements 42 . 43 exhibit.

The drum shell 4 can in one direction 63 considered in several sections 41 be split, with each section 41 one on the Penrose tiling 3 ' based structural pattern 3 having. To simplify the production, it is advantageous that the individual sections 41 of the drum mantle 4 with substantially consistent structural patterns 3 are designed. However, they can also have different structural patterns 3 be used.

The invention is not limited to the described embodiments.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1, 2

 tile

3

 structural patterns

3 '

 Penrose tiling

4

 drum shell

5

 washing drum

6

 Laundry appliance

7-10

 edge

11-14

 corner

15-18

 corner angle

20-23

 edge

24-27

 corner

28-31

 corner angle

32

 simple bulge

33

 simple notch

34

 double bulge

35

 double notch

40

 area

41

 section

42-44

 structural element

45

 Pyramidenspitze

46

 drainage hole

47

 drainage channel

48-53

 drainage hole

60, 61

 takeaway

62

 group

62A-62E

 structural element

63

 direction of rotation

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• EP 1458919 B1 [0002, 0003]
• EP 1974083 B1 [0002, 0003]
• US 4133152 [0004]
• WO 2001/085274 A1 [0004]

Claims (12)

Laundry drum ( 5 ) for a laundry treatment machine ( 6 ) with a drum shell ( 4 ), wherein the drum shell ( 4 ) a structural pattern ( 3 ), characterized in that the structural pattern ( 3 ) at least in sections on a Penrose tiling ( 3 ' ). Laundry drum according to claim 1, characterized in that the Penrose tiling ( 3 ' ) from a variety of tiles ( 1 . 2 ) is composed. Laundry drum according to claim 2, characterized in that the structural pattern ( 3 ) Structural elements ( 42 . 43 . 44 ), each within a tile ( 1 . 2 ) of Penrose tiling ( 3 ' ) are configured. Laundry drum according to claim 3, characterized in that at least a part of the structural elements ( 42 . 43 ) as inwardly shaped truncated pyramids ( 42 . 43 ) and / or as inwardly formed domes ( 42 . 43 ) is configured. Laundry drum according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that at least a part of the structural elements ( 44 ) as outwardly shaped pyramids ( 44 ) is configured. Laundry drum according to claim 5, characterized in that at least part of the outwardly shaped pyramids ( 44 ) each have a pyramid tip ( 45 ) with a drainage hole ( 46 ) having. Laundry drum according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the structural pattern ( 3 ) at least one group ( 62 ) of juxtaposed structural elements ( 62A - 62E ) having a driver ( 62 ) form. Laundry drum according to one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the structural pattern ( 3 ) Drainage channels ( 47 ), which in each case along joined edges ( 7 . 20 ) of tiles ( 1 . 2 ) of Penrose tiling ( 3 ' ). Laundry drum according to one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that the structural pattern ( 3 ) Drainage holes ( 48 - 53 ), each at corners ( 11 - 14 . 24 - 27 ) of the attached tiles ( 1 . 2 ) of Penrose tiling ( 3 ' ) are arranged. Laundry drum according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the drum shell ( 4 ) in one direction of rotation ( 63 ) considered in several sections ( 41 ) and that each section ( 41 ) on the Penrose tiling ( 3 ' ) based structural pattern ( 3 ) having. Laundry drum according to claim 10, characterized in that the sections ( 41 ) of the drum shell ( 4 ) with at least substantially identical structural patterns ( 3 ) are configured. Laundry treatment machine ( 6 ), which is used in particular for washing and / or drying laundry, with a laundry drum ( 5 ) according to one of claims 1 to 11.

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