DE102014224078A1 - A method for producing a rabbet joint in a household appliance component and household appliance component - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for producing a seam connection (1) between two component connection regions (2, 3) of a household appliance component, in which the following steps are carried out: a) providing a first and a second blank of the component connection regions (2, 3), b) generating a first adjustment pattern (4, 4 ') in the first component connection region (2); c) generating a folding tab (11) on the first component connection region (2) by bending over an end region (8) of the first blank and thereby forming a rebate space (10); d) generating a second adjustment pattern (5, 5 ') in the second component connection region (3); e) generating a folding tab (15) on the second component connecting region (3) by bending over an end region (12) of the second blank and thereby forming a rebate space (14); f) interlocking the component connection regions (2, 3) by arranging the folding tab (11) of the first component connection region (2) in the rebate space (14) of the second component connection region (3) and arranging the folding tab (15) of the second component connection region (3) in FIG the rebate space (10) of the first component connection area (2); and g) generating the seam connection (1) by compressing the folding tabs (11, 15) such that the folding tabs (11, 15) abut each other and the adjustment patterns (4, 4 ', 5, 5') are arranged at least partially overlapping each other ,

Description

The invention relates to a method for producing a rabbet joint. The invention also relates to a household appliance component.

Crimp joints or seams are used in many areas of technology. For example, it is known to provide seaming in household appliances. For example, seam joints are provided in the casing walls of laundry drums. The problem, however, is that a quality of seaming, which are manufactured by means of manufacturing processes according to the prior art, is almost not verifiable. However, this is particularly desirable for rabbet joints that are exposed to high loads.

Such high loads can occur, for example, in laundry drums during a spin operation. To make a rabbeted connection of a laundry drum particularly stable, suggests the EP 0 395 859 A1 to provide the seam with several, oriented transversely to their course beads.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method by which a qualitatively improved seam connection can be produced.

This object is achieved by a method and by a household appliance component having the features according to the independent claims.

• a) Bereitstellen der Bauteilverbindungsbereiche mindestens eines Rohlings;
• b) Erzeugen eines ersten Justagemusters in dem ersten Bauteilverbindungsbereich an einem ersten Endbereich des Rohlings;
• c) Erzeugen eines zweiten Justagemusters in dem zweiten Bauteilverbindungsbereich an einem zweiten Endbereich des Rohlings oder eines zweiten Rohlings;
• d) Erzeugen einer Falzlasche an dem ersten Bauteilverbindungsbereich durch Umbiegen eines Endbereichs des Rohlings und dadurch Ausbildung eines Falzraumes;
• e) Erzeugen einer Falzlasche an dem zweiten Bauteilverbindungsbereich durch Umbiegen eines Endbereichs des zweiten Rohlings und dadurch Ausbildung eines Falzraumes; und
• f) Erzeugen der Falzverbindung durch Zusammenpressen der Falzlaschen derart, dass die Falzlaschen aneinander anliegen und die Justagemuster zumindest teilweise überlappend zueinander angeordnet werden.

An inventive method is used to produce a rabbet joint between two component connection areas of a household appliance component. The method comprises the steps:

• a) providing the component connection areas of at least one blank;
• b) generating a first alignment pattern in the first component connection region at a first end region of the blank;
• c) generating a second alignment pattern in the second component connection region at a second end region of the blank or a second blank;
• d) generating a folding tab on the first component connecting portion by bending over an end portion of the blank and thereby forming a rebate space;
• e) generating a folding tab on the second component connecting region by bending over an end region of the second blank and thereby forming a rebate space; and
• f) generating the seam connection by compressing the folding tabs such that the folding tabs abut each other and the adjustment patterns are arranged at least partially overlapping each other.

It should be noted that the listing of the method steps does not specify a compelling sequence of the method steps; Rather, steps b) to e) can also be carried out in a sequence other than that indicated.

As at least one output element to be processed, for example, an undeformed sheet-metal strip or a sheet-metal plate can be provided, which in the as-unfinished state as such, then have the component connection areas designated as blanks. A blank can also be understood as meaning a plurality of undeformed sheet metal strips or sheet metal plates which, when arranged one above the other, form a unit to be joined.

In the production steps b) and c), an adjustment pattern is produced at each of the component connection areas, by means of which a production of the seam connection can be carried out with particular accuracy. In the production steps d) and e), a folding tab is produced at each of the component connection regions, in each case by an end region of the component connection regions already having adjustment patterns, for example the edge region of the sheet metal plates, being bent or overturned. The bent fold tab and a subsequent to the folding tab portion of the component connection area form a so-called fold or envelope, through which a channel-shaped rebate space is formed or limited. In particular, the folding tab has a first part of the adjustment pattern and the partial area adjoining the folding tab has a second part of the adjustment pattern.

To produce the seam connection, in the production step f), the folds are pressed together by applying a normal force, in particular perpendicular to the joining direction, so that the respective rebate space is reduced and the folding tab located therein is clamped. In addition, the folds are pressed together in such a way that the adjustment patterns of the component connection areas at least partially overlap. By producing the seaming connection, therefore, a layer stack is formed perpendicular to the joining direction, which connects the partial region of the first component connection region adjoining the folding tab of the first component connection region, the folding tab of the second component connection region, the folding tab of the first component connection region and to the folding tab of the second component connection region having subsequent portion of the second component connection area. In particular, the parts of the adjustment patterns in the folding tabs overlap with the parts of the adjustment patterns in the subregions adjoining the folding tabs.

In the production step g), the folds of the component connection areas are preferably hooked into one another. For this purpose, the folding tab of the first component connection region in the rebate space of the second component connection region and the folding tab of the second component connection region are arranged in the rebate space of the first component connection region along a merging direction, the folding tab of the first component connection region and the folding tab of the second component connection region then being viewed at least in regions along the merging direction overlap.

A seam connection, in which the folds of two component connection areas are hooked into one another, can also be referred to as a channel fold. By means of the method according to the invention, which comprises the production of adjustment patterns and the production of the seam connection by overlapping arrangement of the adjustment patterns, such a channel fold can be manufactured particularly accurately and stably.

• h) Bestimmen eines Überlappungsmaßes zwischen dem Justagemuster des ersten Bauteilverbindungsbereichs und dem Justagemuster des zweiten Bauteilverbindungsbereichs; und
• i) Bewerten der Güte der Falzverbindung abhängig von dem Überlappungsmaß.

As an alternative to the production step g), the steps d) and e) for producing the folding tabs can be carried out together. For this purpose, the first and second end regions are placed against each other or one above the other and the bending over of the first and second end regions takes place together in one production step. Thus, a subsequent merging of the component connection areas can advantageously be dispensed with. The following additional steps are particularly preferably carried out:

• h) determining an amount of overlap between the adjustment pattern of the first component connection region and the adjustment pattern of the second component connection region; and
• i) Evaluating the quality of the seam connection depending on the overlap.

The evaluation of a quality or a quality of the seam connection can provide information on how stable and / or positionally accurate the seam connection is made. A seam connection can be rated as particularly stable if a predetermined minimum area of a folding tab is arranged in the respective rebate space. In other words, this means that the folding tab should protrude by a certain minimum width in the respective rebate. Also, the seam connection is particularly stable when the folding tab during compression has a predetermined position in the rebate, so the folding tab is not slipping, for example, by the compression in the respective rebate. By slipping the folding tab within the rebate, the rabbet joint can solve, for example. According to the prior art, however, it is not possible to check a rabbet joint without destructive measures. Such a destructive measure is, for example, a section through the rabbet joint. By such a non-destructive quality inspection, the quality of the rabbet joint can be easily and quickly determined, and the detection and sorting out of unfavorable seaming done very targeted.

According to the invention, an overlap dimension of the adjustment pattern of the first component connection region and of the second component connection region is checked for checking the seam connection. For this purpose, the adjustment pattern of the first component connection region may have, for example, a first surface and the adjustment pattern of the second component connection region, for example a second surface. An overlapping amount can be determined, for example, by means of a sectional area which is formed by the first area and the second area. The shape of the cut surface and the surface area of the cut surface can provide information, for example, as to whether the folding tab has slipped during compression in the rebate space and whether a predetermined minimum range of the folding tab is arranged in the rebate space.

By determining the degree of overlap, it is advantageously possible to check a quality of a seam connection without destroying it. As a result, in particular every seam connection can be checked during a production process, whereas according to the state of the art it was only possible to check a randomly selected seam connection of a lot by means of destructive measures and then to deduce the quality of the entire lot.

It can be provided that a rabbet joint is judged to be suitable for use if the specific overlap dimension is greater than a predetermined overlap threshold value. The overlapping dimension can be calculated, for example, from the ratio of the actual sectional area of the adjustment patterns and the sectional area with complete overlapping of the adjustment patterns. If the adjustment patterns of the component connection regions are configured, for example, congruent or congruent, the result is an overlap of 100% if the adjustment patterns of the component connection regions completely overlap after compression, ie after process step g). For example, if an adjustment pattern has a smaller area than the other adjustment pattern, the result is an overlap of 100%, if the adjustment pattern with the smaller area after compression, ie after process step g), is a subset of the adjustment pattern with the larger area. The predetermined overlap threshold indicates a tolerance limit up to which a seam connection can be considered as meeting the requirements. The overlap threshold values may depend on a later location of use of the fold connection. If the seam connection is exposed to high loads, for example, then a higher overlap threshold value can be preset than with a seam connection which is exposed to low loads. Thus, a quality or quality of the hinge connection can be easily evaluated.

A preferred embodiment provides that when performing step b) for generating the first adjustment pattern in the first component connection region, a first continuous adjustment element is formed at a first distance to a front edge of the first component connection region and a second continuous adjustment element is formed at a second distance from the front edge , Such continuous adjustment elements may be, for example, holes or bushings. The continuous adjustment elements are preferably arranged along a line perpendicular to the front edge at a distance from one another at the first component connection region. Since, as already stated, a layer stack is produced after producing the seam connection, an adjustment pattern with continuous adjustment elements proves to be particularly advantageous. Thus, layers, in particular the folding tabs, of the layer stack, which are covered by an overlying layer, in particular the subareas of the component connection regions adjoining the folding tabs, can be made optically accessible by means of the continuous adjustment elements.

Preferably, in performing the step d) for producing a folding tab on the first component connecting portion, an end portion of the blank is bent around a bending line, the bending line being formed with a third distance therebetween between the first and second spaces from the front edge of the first component connecting portion; and the folding tab is produced so positioned that the two adjustment elements are arranged substantially in alignment with each other. In other words, this means that the first distance for the first adjustment element is chosen such that the first adjustment element is arranged after bending over the end region in the folding tab. The second distance for the second adjustment element is chosen such that the second adjustment element is arranged in the subsequent to the folding flap portion after producing the folding tab. After producing the folding tab, the first and the second adjusting element lie opposite one another in such a way that the first and the second adjusting element are arranged essentially in alignment with one another. The defined first and second distances are preferably selected such that, when the folding flap and the arrangement of the two adjustment elements are arranged in a curved manner, a sufficiently dimensioned folding tab is formed.

It proves to be advantageous if, in step c) for generating the second adjustment pattern in the second component connection area, a first continuous adjustment element is formed at a first distance to a front edge of the second component connection area and a second continuous adjustment element is formed at a second distance to the front edge. The continuous adjustment elements of the second component connection region can be designed in the same way as has already been described in connection with the continuous adjustment elements of the first component connection region. In particular, the respective first adjustment elements of the first and the second component connection region as well as the respectively second adjustment elements of the first and the second component connection region can be configured uniformly or congruently. Thus, additional and complex process steps can be avoided.

According to one embodiment, in performing step e) for creating a folding tab on the second component joining portion, a second end portion of the blank or a second blank is bent about a bending line, the bending line having a third distance therebetween between the first and second spaces Front edge is formed, and the folding tab is produced so positioned that the two adjustment elements are arranged substantially in alignment with each other. Also for the production of the folding tab of the second component connection region, reference is made to the description relating to the generation of the folding tab of the first component connection region.

Preferably, the first distances are formed the same and / or the second distances formed the same. By forming the same first and / or second distances form-equal folds can be produced with substantially the same geometric dimensions in both component connection areas.

In an advantageous embodiment, an overlap dimension between at least one adjustment element of the first component connection region with at least one adjustment element of the second component connection region is determined in step h). By configuring the adjustment patterns as adjustment elements, the second adjustment element of the partial region of the first component connection region and the first adjustment element of the folding device of the second component region as well as the second adjustment element of the partial region of the second component connection region and the first adjustment element of the folding strap of the invention overlap after producing the seam connection in step g) first component connection area. For this purpose, a first overlapping measure can be determined, which describes, for example, an intersection which is formed by the second adjustment element of the partial region of the first component connection region and the first adjustment element of the folding flap of the second component region. As a result, it can be evaluated, for example, whether a minimum area of the folding tab of the second component connection area is arranged in the rebate space of the first component connection area. Alternatively or additionally, a second overlapping measure can be determined, which describes, for example, an intersection which is formed by the second adjustment element of the partial region of the second component connection region and the first adjustment element of the folding flap of the first component region. As a result, it can be evaluated, for example, whether a minimum region of the folding tab of the first component connection region is arranged in the rebate space of the second component connection region. The fact that the Justageelemente are configured consistently, the first Justageelemente the folding tabs are optically accessible through the second adjustment elements of the subregions. Thus, the first and the second overlapping measure can be determined in a particularly simple manner.

The first component connection region is preferably formed on a first component of the household appliance component, and the second component connection region is formed on a second component of the household appliance component that is separate from the first component. In a household appliance designed as a washing machine or tumble dryer, the household appliance component may be, for example, a laundry drum, wherein the first component may be a drum shell or a jacket wall and the second component may be a drum rear wall. For connecting the components of the household appliance component, for example, the drum shell and the drum rear wall, the first component connection area on the first component, such as the drum shell, and the second component connection area on the second component, for example, the drum rear wall, are prepared. By means of the process steps b) -f), finally, a seam connection can be produced, the quality of which can be checked by means of the process steps h) and i).

Advantageously, the first component connection region is formed at a first end of a component of the household appliance component, and the second component connection region is formed at an opposite second end of this component of the household appliance component. According to this embodiment, the component is integrally formed. The component may be formed as a strip, which can be bent annularly by bringing together opposite ends of the strip and whose ends can be connected by means of the method according to the invention for producing the seaming connection for obtaining the ring shape.

It can be provided that the component is formed from sheet metal, in particular as a jacket wall of a household appliance component designed as a laundry drum, or that the component is designed as a flow line of a household appliance component designed as an air duct. The laundry drum can be manufactured by bringing two opposite ends of a sheet metal strip together and connecting them via the seaming connection produced by means of the method according to the invention. Since the quality of the folded seam connection produced according to the invention can be checked particularly reliably, a laundry drum formed in this way is manufactured in a particularly stable manner and can thus be used reliably even under high loads, for example for centrifugal processes.

The invention also comprises a household appliance component having two component connection regions, which are connected by a rabbet joint, wherein a bent folding tab on the first, having an adjustment pattern component connecting portion in a rebate of the second component connecting portion and a bent fold tab on the second, an adjustment pattern having component connecting portion in a rebate of the first component connection region are each introduced and the seam connection is formed by compressing the folding tabs such that the folding tabs abut each other and the adjustment patterns are arranged at least partially overlapping each other.

Preferably, in the household appliance component, the component connection areas have been interlocked with one another or have been deformed together.

The preferred embodiments presented with reference to the method according to the invention and their advantages apply correspondingly to the household appliance component according to the invention.

• – Herstellen einer Falzverbindung durch ein oben genanntes erfindungsgemäßes Verfahren oder einer vorteilhaften Ausführungsform davon und
• – Bewerten der Falzverbindung abhängig von der Lage der Justagemuster zueinander.

The invention also relates to a method for evaluating a quality of a seam connection between two component connection areas of a household appliance component, in which the following steps are carried out:

• - Making a rabbet joint by an inventive method above or an advantageous embodiment thereof and
• - Evaluate the Falzverbindung depending on the location of the adjustment patterns to each other.

Such an evaluation of a quality or such a quality control can be advantageously used to check and evaluate each produced Falzverbindung without destructive measures.

Further features of the invention will become apparent from the claims, the figures and the description of the figures. The features and feature combinations mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and combinations of features mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown alone in the figures, can be used not only in the respectively specified combination but also in other combinations or in isolation, without the frame to leave the invention. Thus, embodiments of the invention are to be regarded as encompassed and disclosed, which are not explicitly shown and explained in the figures, however, emerge and can be produced by separated combinations of features from the embodiments explained. Embodiments and combinations of features are also to be regarded as disclosed, which thus do not have all the features of an originally formulated independent claim.

In the following, the invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to a preferred embodiment, as well as with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Show it:

1a to 1e a schematic representation of an embodiment of a method according to the invention for producing a rabbet joint;

2 a schematic representation of an embodiment of a folded seam connection according to the invention in a perspective view;

3 a schematic representation of another embodiment of an adjustment pattern in a sectional view;

4 a schematic representation of an embodiment of an adjustment pattern in a perspective view; and

5 a schematic representation of another embodiment of an adjustment pattern in a perspective view.

In the figures, identical or functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference numerals.

In the 1a to 1e are manufacturing steps for producing a rabbet joint 1 between two component connection areas 2 and 3 a household appliance component shown. Such a household appliance component can be, for example, a laundry drum of a household appliance designed as a washing machine.

In 1a For this purpose, there are initially two unfinished component connection areas provided in a basic form 2 and 3 which are zonal components of plate-like output elements made of sheet metal. The component connection areas 2 and 3 are part of a component or of two separate components, whereby a blank with two component connection areas 2 and 3 or two blanks, each with a component connection area 2 and 3 be provided in the basic form.

In the event that two blanks are provided, in a process step a) a first blank of a first component connection area 2 and a second blank of a second component connection area 3 provided. The unfinished component connection areas 2 and 3 For example, they may also be in edge regions or end zones of a sheet-metal part from which a component of a laundry drum designed as a jacket wall can be manufactured.

In a process step b) according to 1b becomes in the first component connection area 2 a first adjustment pattern 4 generated. In a process step c) according to 1b becomes in the second component connection area 3 a second adjustment pattern 5 generated. The first adjustment pattern 4 of the first component connection area 2 here has a first adjustment element 4a and a second adjustment element 4b on.

The first adjustment element 4a is here at a first distance a1 to a front edge 6 of the first component connection area 2 manufactured and the second adjustment element 4b at a second distance a2 to the front edge 6 of the first component connection area 2 manufactured.

The second adjustment pattern 5 of the second component connection area 3 here has a first adjustment element 5a and a second adjustment element 5b on. The first adjustment element 5a is here in a first distance b1 to a front edge 7 of the second component connection area 3 manufactured and the second adjustment element 5b at a second distance b2 to the front edge 7 of the second component connection area 3 manufactured. The adjustment elements 4a . 4b . 5a . 5b are formed here as a continuous adjustment elements, for example, passages or holes. Here are all adjustment elements 4a . 4b . 5a . 5b a diameter D on. In addition, here are the first distance a1 of the first component connection area 2 and the first distance b1 of the second component connection area 3 same size. In addition, here are the second distance a2 of the first component connection area 2 and the second distance b2 of the second component connection portion 3 same size.

An end area 8th of the first component connection area 2 is going along a bend line 9 bent, which with a lying between the first distance a1 and the second distance a2 third distance a3 from the front edge 6 of the first component connection area 2 is trained. As a result, in a process step d) according to 1c under formation of a rebate 10 a folding tab 11 educated. By bending the end area 8th becomes the folding tab 11 positioned such that the first adjustment element 4a and the second adjustment element 4b are arranged substantially in alignment with each other. In addition, an end area 12 of the second component connection area 3 along a bend line 13 bent, which with a lying between the first distance b1 and the second distance b2 third distance b3 from the front edge 7 of the second component connection area 3 is trained. As a result, in a process step e) according to 1c under formation of a rebate 14 a folding tab 15 educated. By bending the end area 12 becomes the folding tab 15 positioned such that the first adjustment element 5a and the second adjustment element 5b are arranged substantially in alignment with each other.

In a process step g) according to 1d become the finished first component connection area 2 and the finished second component connection area 3 along a merge direction F _Z interlocking guided by the folding tab 11 of the first component connection area 2 in the seam 14 of the second component connection area 3 is arranged and the folding tab 15 of the second component connection area 3 in the seam 11 of the first component connection area 2 is arranged. In this case, as viewed along the joining direction F _Z , the folding tab overlap 11 of the first component connection area 2 and the folding tab 15 of the second component connection area 3 at least in certain areas.

In a process step f) according to 1e becomes the seam connection 1 formed by the first component connection area 2 and the second component connection area 3 be compressed, for example, applying a normal force F _N. This reduces the rebate space 10 of the first component connection area 2 and the seam 14 of the second component connection area 3 so the folding tab 11 of the first component connection area 2 in the seam 14 and the folding tab 15 of the second component connection area 3 in the seam 10 be clamped and thus abut each other. In addition, the first component connection area 2 and the second component connection area 3 compressed so that the first adjustment pattern 4 and the second adjustment pattern 5 at least partially overlap. In particular, the second adjustment element overlap 4b of the first component connection area 2 and the first adjustment element 5a of the second component connection area 3 and the second adjustment element 5b of the second component connection area 3 and the first adjustment element 4a of the first component connection area 2 ,

In an alternative variant, the component connection area is in a process step g *) 2 before steps c) and d) take place at the component connection area 3 placed or over the component connection area 3 placed. The joining device is set up in such a way that steps c) and d) take place simultaneously, whereby step g) can be dispensed with, since such a simultaneous deformation results in the rebate space 14 of the second component connection area 3 directly into the rebate 10 of the first component connection area 2 is arranged.

For determining a quality of the seam connection 1 may be from the overlap of the second adjustment element 4b and the first adjustment element 5a a first overlap measure 16 be determined and from the overlap of the second adjustment element 5b and the first adjustment element 4a a second overlap measure 17 be determined. In step f), it is shown by way of example that the first component connection area 2 and / or the second component connection area against their merging direction F _Z are slipped during compression. As a result, the second adjustment element overlap 4b of the first component connection area 2 and the first adjustment element 5a of the second component connection area 3 and the second adjustment element 5b of the second component connection area 3 and the first adjustment element 4a of the first component connection area 2 not completely.

The seam connection 1 is then rated as ready for use, in particular as stable and of high quality, if the overlap dimensions 16 and 17 exceed a predetermined overlap threshold.

2 shows an embodiment of a manufactured rabbet joint 1 in perspective. The seam connection 1 connects the first component connection area 2 and the second component connection area 3 of the household appliance component. Such a household appliance component may for example be a laundry drum. In this perspective, first adjustment elements 4a of the first component connection area 2 shown. In the 1e shown representation in process step f) results from a section through the hinge connection 1 along the section line A.

3 shows a further embodiment of a first Justagemusters 4 ' and a second adjustment pattern 5 ' , Here is the respective first adjustment element 4a ' respectively. 5a ' directly at the respective front edge 6 respectively. 7 the component connection areas 2 respectively. 3 arranged.

4 shows an example of a perspective view of an embodiment of the first Justagemusters 4 , which here at the first component connection area 2 is made. Here are the first adjustment elements 4a and the second adjustment elements 4b of the adjustment pattern 4 designed as circular passages or holes, wherein the first adjustment elements 4a in the first distance a1 and the second adjustment elements 4b in the second distance a2 in the first component connection area 2 are arranged.

5 shows an example of a perspective view of another embodiment of the first Justagemusters 4 ' , which here at the first component connection area 2 is made. Here are the second adjustment elements 4b ' of the first adjustment pattern 4 ' designed as circular passages or holes. The first adjustment elements 4a ' are directly as recesses on the front edge 6 of the first component connection area 2 opening made and thus marginally open and not completely circumscribed limited holes.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

 foldedseam

2

 first component connection area

3

 second component connection area

4, 4 '

 first adjustment pattern

5, 5 '

 second adjustment pattern

4a, 4a ', 5a, 5a'

 first adjustment element

4b, 4b ', 5b, 5b'

 second adjustment element

6, 7

 front edge

8, 12

end

9, 13

 elastic line

10, 14

 rebate

11, 15

 fold edge

16, 17

 of overlap

a1, b1

 first distance

a2, b2

 second distance

a3, b3

 third distance

F _N

 normal force

F _Z

 Merging direction

A

 intersection

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 0395859 A1 [0003]

Claims (15)

Method for producing a seam connection ( 1 ) between two component connection areas ( 2 . 3 ) of a household appliance component, in which the following steps are carried out: a) providing the component connection areas ( 2 . 3 ) at least one blank, b) generating a first adjustment pattern ( 4 . 4 ' ) in the first component connection area ( 2 ) at a first end region ( 8th ) of the blank; c) generating a second adjustment pattern ( 5 . 5 ' ) in the second component connection area ( 3 ) at a second end region ( 12 ) of the blank or a second blank; d) generating a folding tab ( 11 ) at the first component connection area ( 2 ) by bending over the first end region ( 8th ) of the blank and thereby forming a rebate space ( 10 ); e) generating a folding tab ( 15 ) at the second component connection area ( 3 ) by bending over the second end region ( 12 ) and thereby forming a rebate space ( 14 ); and f) generating the seam connection ( 1 ) by pressing the folding tabs ( 11 . 15 ) such that the folding tabs ( 11 . 15 ) abut each other and the adjustment patterns ( 4 . 4 ' . 5 . 5 ' ) are arranged at least partially overlapping each other. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the following step is carried out before step f): g) interlocking of the component connection areas ( 2 . 3 ) by arranging the folding tab ( 11 ) of the first component connection area ( 2 ) in the rebate space ( 14 ) of the second component connection area ( 3 ) and arranging the folding tab ( 15 ) of the second component connection area ( 3 ) in the rebate space ( 10 ) of the first component connection area ( 2 ). A method according to claim 1, characterized in that before step d) the following step is carried out: g *) juxtaposition or superimposition of the first end region ( 8th ) and the second end region ( 12 ) and performing steps d) and e) together. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the following further steps are performed: h) determining an overlap measure ( 16 . 17 ) between the adjustment pattern ( 4 . 4 ' ) of the first component connection area ( 2 ) and the adjustment pattern ( 5 . 5 ' ) of the second component connection area ( 3 ); and i) evaluating the quality of the seam connection ( 1 ) depending on the overlap measure ( 16 . 17 ). Method according to claim 4, characterized in that a seam connection ( 1 ) is judged to be suitable for use if the determined degree of overlap ( 16 . 17 ) is greater than a predetermined overlap threshold. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that when performing the step b) for generating the first adjustment pattern ( 4 . 4 ' ) in the first component connection area ( 2 ) a first continuous adjustment element ( 4a . 4a ' ) at a first distance (a1) to a front edge ( 6 ) of the first component connection area ( 2 ) and a second continuous adjustment element ( 4b . 4b ' ) at a second distance (a2) to the front edge ( 6 ) is formed. A method according to claim 6, characterized in that when performing step d) for producing a folding tab ( 11 ) at the first component connection area ( 2 ) a first end region ( 8th ) of the blank around a bend line ( 9 ) is bent, the bending line ( 9 ) with a third distance (a3) between the first edge (a1) and the second distance (a2) between the front edge ( 6 ) of the first component connection area ( 2 ) is formed, and the folding tab ( 11 ) is produced in such a position that the two adjustment elements ( 4a . 4a ' . 4b . 4b ' ) are arranged substantially in alignment with each other. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in step c) for generating the second adjustment pattern ( 5 . 5 ' ) in the second component connection area ( 3 ) a first continuous adjustment element ( 5a . 5a ' ) at a first distance (b1) to a front edge ( 7 ) of the second component connection area ( 3 ) and a second continuous adjustment element ( 5b . 5b ' ) at a second distance (a2) to the front edge ( 7 ) is formed. A method according to claim 8, characterized in that when performing step e) for producing a folding tab ( 15 ) at the second component connection area ( 3 ) a second end region ( 12 ) of the blank or of a second blank around a bending line ( 13 ) is bent, the bending line ( 13 ) with a third distance (b3) between the first edge (b1) and the second distance (b2) between the front edge (b) 7 ) is formed, and the folding tab ( 15 ) is produced in such a position that the two adjustment elements ( 5a . 5a ' . 5b , 5b ' ) are arranged substantially in alignment with each other. A method according to claim 6 and 8, characterized in that the first distances (a1, b1) are formed the same and / or the second distances (a2, b2) are formed the same. Method according to claim 7 and 9, characterized in that in step h) an overlapping measure ( 16 . 17 ) between at least one adjustment element ( 4a . 4a ' . 4b . 4b ' ) of the first component connection area ( 2 ) with at least one adjustment element ( 5a . 5a ' . 5b . 5b ' ) of the second component connection area ( 3 ) is determined. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first component connection area ( 2 ) is formed on a first component of the household appliance component and the second component connection area ( 3 ) is formed on a second component of the household appliance component separate from the first component. Method according to one of claims 1 and 3 to 11, characterized in that the first component connection area ( 2 ) is formed at a first end of a component of the household appliance component and the second component connection area ( 3 ) is formed at an opposite second end of this component of the household appliance component. A method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the component is formed from sheet metal, in particular as a jacket wall of a household appliance component designed as a laundry drum, or that the component is formed as a flow line of a designed as an air duct household appliance component. Household appliance component with two component connection areas ( 2 . 3 ), which by a folding connection ( 1 ), wherein a bent fold tab ( 11 ) at the first, an adjustment pattern ( 4 . 4 ' ) having component connection area ( 2 ) in a rebate space ( 14 ) of the second component connection area ( 3 ) and a folded fold tab ( 15 ) on the second, an adjustment pattern ( 5 . 5 ' ) having component connection area ( 3 ) in a rebate space ( 10 ) of the first component connection area ( 2 ) are introduced respectively and the seam connection ( 1 ) by pressing the folding tabs ( 11 . 15 ) is formed such that the folding tabs ( 11 . 15 ) abut each other and the adjustment patterns ( 4 . 4 ' . 5 . 5 ' ) are arranged at least partially overlapping each other.

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