DE102015206712A1 - Arrangement with a laundry drum and an imbalance compensation device, household appliance for the care of laundry items and method for attaching an imbalance compensation device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an arrangement for a domestic appliance 1 for the care of laundry items, with at least one laundry drum 3 for receiving laundry items, and with at least one annular unbalance compensation device 13, 14, which is inserted into a peripheral receptacle 39 of the laundry drum 3, wherein the laundry drum third a coupling region 24 for coupling with the imbalance compensation device 13, 14, which has two mutually opposite abutment walls 28, 29, and the imbalance compensation device 13, 14 a housing 18 having a first housing wall 18a, on which at least one raised in the radial direction formed on the first housing wall 18a projecting coupling element 30 which has two mutually oriented at an angle β coupling webs 32, 33, wherein in each case a coupling web 32, 33 bears against a respective abutment wall 28, 29.

Description

The invention relates to an arrangement for a household appliance for the care of laundry items, comprising a laundry drum and an imbalance compensation device. The invention further relates to a household appliance for the care of laundry, which comprises such an arrangement. The invention further relates to a method for fixing an annular unbalance compensation device on a laundry drum of a household appliance, wherein the unbalance compensation device is inserted into a circumferential axial receptacle of the laundry drum.

During a washing process of a washing machine, it is known that a random and irregular distribution of the laundry items in the laundry drum. This results in imbalances that cause relatively large mechanical vibrations of the laundry drum and thus large mechanical loads on the entire household appliance. On the one hand, unpleasant noises are generated by the resulting vibrations for the user; On the other hand, this can also lead to a mechanical stress on the flooring on which the household appliance is placed.

In order to prevent or at least greatly reduce the vibrations of the laundry drum during operation of a washing machine, it has already been proposed in the prior art to fasten an annular balancing device - also known as "ball balancer" - to the laundry drum. Such an imbalance compensation device has an annular, hollow housing, in which there is a balancing mass, which is provided for example in the form of a plurality of spherical compensating elements. This balancing mass is movably mounted in the interior of the housing and during operation of the washing machine tends to shift to one of the imbalance masses - with respect to a diameter of the laundry drum - opposite side, thus producing a counterweight for the imbalance mass and consequently an overall balance.

In the present case, the interest is directed to the attachment of such an imbalance compensation device to a laundry drum. Such methods are already known from the prior art in various embodiments. For example, the document describes US 2011/0203325 A1 a solution in which the housing of the imbalance compensation device is molded onto an axial end wall of the laundry drum.

It is also already prior art to attach the unbalance compensation device by means of screws to the laundry drum. In this connection, it is known, for example, to provide extensions with radial bores or so-called screw domes on one axial side of the unbalance compensation device, which are each designed to receive a screw. By such screw domes, however, a relatively large amount of space in the axial direction is required, which disadvantageously the useful volume of the wash chamber of the drum must be significantly reduced overall. Furthermore, the circumstance that additional fastening elements in the form of screws must be provided and also complicated screwing operations are required, which lead to a delay of the assembly process, is disadvantageous in this state of the art.

A screw connection between an imbalance compensation device and a laundry drum is, for example, in the EP 2 154 285 A1 proposed.

Furthermore, the describes KR 10 2008 037 420 A an arrangement in which an imbalance compensation device is fixed via a latching connection to a laundry drum. In the embodiment according to 1 Of this document, locking elements are formed on a radial outer circumference of a housing of the unbalance compensation device, which are engaged in corresponding latching openings of the laundry drum. The latching elements lie axially against an edge delimiting the respective latch opening, so that a positive connection is formed in the axial direction. Such a latching connection has in particular the disadvantage that it may come to a release of the latching connection. In the operation of the washing machine namely radial deformations of the laundry drum - in particular an ovalization - occur, which can lead to a radial displacement between the jacket of the laundry drum on the one hand and the housing of the balancing device on the other. If there is such a shift, the latching elements of the imbalance compensation device can be released from the respective latching openings, and it can come to a total fall out of the imbalance compensation device from the axial recess of the laundry drum.

It is an object of the invention to provide a comparison with the prior art improved attachment of an annular unbalance compensation device to a laundry drum.

This object is achieved by an arrangement, a household appliance for the care of Laundry items and a method according to the respective independent claims solved.

An inventive arrangement for a household appliance for the care of laundry comprises a laundry drum for receiving laundry items. The arrangement further comprises an annular unbalance compensation device, which is inserted in a circumferential axial receptacle in the laundry drum. An essential idea of the invention is to be seen in that the laundry drum has a coupling region for coupling to the unbalance compensation device, wherein the coupling region comprises two abutment walls standing at an angle to one another. The unbalance compensation device comprises a housing having a first housing wall, on which a coupling element protruding in the radial direction above the first housing wall is formed. The coupling element has two mutually oriented at an angle coupling webs, wherein in each case a coupling web rests against a respective abutment wall. By means of this specific coupling between the laundry drum and the imbalance compensation device, an anti-rotation lock is achieved in two directions relative to one another. This is given in the direction of rotation about the longitudinal axis of the laundry drum on the one hand and on the other hand in the axial direction and thus in the direction of this longitudinal axis. In addition, a mechanically highly stable coupling is achieved by this specific embodiment with the individually arranged investment walls and the thus directly connected specifically oriented coupling webs. It can be achieved in the context, a certain tension of the imbalance compensation device of the laundry drum and thus in particular the jacket wall and / or to a frontal floor or to a bottom plate.

The plant walls are in particular adjacent or adjacent to each other.

This specific coupling between the imbalance compensation device and the laundry drum and additional fasteners can be saved or are no longer needed. Screw connections or the like are therefore not provided. In addition, by the individual orientation of the raised protruding coupling elements with the overlapping in the radial direction of this investment walls also no intervention in the laundry treatment room required so that it is not affected or protruding elements would protrude. By this radial overlap of the abutment walls and the coupling webs and the already angled to each other arranged configuration of said components a certain toothing is created, which offers the advantages already mentioned above.

The plant walls are oriented radially standing and arranged at an angle to the axis of the laundry drum at an angle thereto or obliquely to a line extending on the same axial length.

It is preferably provided that the abutment walls are arranged relative to one another in such a way that they form a point when viewed in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the laundry drum. The above-mentioned anti-rotation in two directions is thereby improved.

In particular, it is provided that the abutment walls are arranged at an angle between 20 ° and 160 °, in particular between 60 ° and 120 ° to each other. The toothing to each other according to this specification improves on the one hand the security against rotation and on the other hand, the tension of the balancing device on the laundry drum.

It is preferably provided that the abutment walls are oriented in the radial direction to a longitudinal axis of the laundry drum. They are therefore almost inward in the direction of the longitudinal axis. As a result, a particularly large-area contact with the coupling webs can be achieved. Also, this assembly is simplified. Such plant walls can be very targeted and thus accurately generated by bending processes.

In particular, it is provided that the abutment walls are formed as bends of a free cut in the laundry drum. It is preferably provided in the context that the laundry drum has such a cutout on a casing wall or on a front floor. At this free cut as bending bars or bending tabs contain these investment walls and are then bent by a simple Umbiegeprozess in their corresponding position for engagement with the coupling webs. The production is simplified and favors the positional transfer of the plant walls in their final position.

It is preferably provided that the coupling webs are formed contiguous. This means that they are quasi one-piece and therefore designed to be interruption-free. By orientation at an angle to each other thereby a particularly stable configuration is achieved.

It is preferably provided that the coupling webs are each formed in a straight line and open at their free ends in each case in a stabilizing web of the coupling element. As a result, the coupling webs by their direct At one another, in particular by the one-piece design, supported in itself and relative to each other and further improves the mechanical robustness by the additional stabilizing webs. The stabilizing webs are thus formed as raised structures that extend from the housing wall projecting.

In an advantageous embodiment, the stabilizing webs are oriented at an angle of less than 90 °, in particular less than 60 °, to the respectively adjacent coupling web. The mechanical robustness of the entire structure of the coupling element is thereby improved.

It is preferably provided that the coupling webs and the stabilizing webs are integrally formed. This also increases the mechanical robustness.

It is preferably provided that the housing has a second housing wall which opens at an angle to the first housing wall and the stabilizing webs extend beyond a transition between the housing walls and extend to a second housing wall. The dimensional stability and mechanical strength of a coupling element is further improved.

The angle between the housing walls is preferably between 60 ° and 120 °, in particular between 80 ° and 100 °.

Advantageously, the coupling element is formed with its coupling webs and stabilizing webs as M. As a result, a particularly robust structure is created, which also makes it possible to form the largest possible systems with the investment walls, so that the security against rotation of the mechanical coupling between the imbalance compensation device and the laundry drum is particularly high.

Advantageously, the coupling element is designed as a deep-drawing element in the laundry drum. Such a configuration of the coupling element no additional materials must be attached to the housing wall to produce the coupling element. In addition, the coupling element is produced by this design quasi from the material of the housing wall itself, so that it is in turn mechanically very stable and positionally accurate permanently formed.

Furthermore, the invention also relates to a household appliance for the care of laundry items, which has an arrangement according to the invention and an advantageous embodiment thereof. The household appliance is a washing machine or a washer-dryer.

Furthermore, the invention also relates to a method for fastening an annular unbalance compensation device on a laundry drum of a household appliance for the care of laundry, wherein the unbalance compensation device is inserted into a circumferential axial receptacle of the laundry drum. An essential idea of the invention is to be seen in the fact that the laundry drum is formed with a coupling region with two mutually at an angle plant walls for coupling with the imbalance compensation device. The unbalance compensation device is formed with a housing having a first housing wall, wherein on the first housing wall a raised in the radial direction above the first housing wall projecting and formed with two mutually oriented at an angle coupling webs coupling element is formed. The attachment of the imbalance compensation device to the laundry drum takes place in that a coupling web rests against a respective investment wall. Due to the angled arrangement of the components to each other here a kind of teeth with maximum security against rotation in two directions is achieved.

Preferably, the imbalance compensating device is brought with its, in particular by deep drawing, coupling element in an end position to the laundry drum and then bent for fixing the formed on a free cut in the laundry drum plant walls so that they rest, in particular form-fitting, on the coupling webs.

In particular, a punched-out portion is made, in particular on the housing wall, which is plastically deformed in a later process, this taking place in particular by deep-drawing, and thereby the coupling element is produced.

Under an imbalance compensation device is understood in the present case a device which is designed to compensate and thus to prevent imbalances of the laundry drum. The unbalance compensation device can have a compensating mass arranged movably in the housing, for example in the form of a plurality of spherical elements. Such an imbalance compensation device can also be referred to as a "ball balancer".

The terms "top", "bottom", "front", "rear", "horizontal", "vertical", "depth direction", "width direction", "height direction", etc. are the intended use and intended arrangement of the device and at one then in front of the device and in the direction of the device Viewing observers given positions and orientations.

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 of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to schematic drawings. Show it:

1 a schematic front view of an embodiment of a household appliance according to the invention for the care of laundry items;

2 a schematic sectional view through a portion of an arrangement with a laundry drum and imbalance compensation devices according to an embodiment of the invention;

3 an enlarged view of a portion of a laundry drum of the household appliance in an unfinished state of investment walls;

4 the representation according to 3 in the finished state of the plant walls;

5 a sectional view of the household appliance in the region of the coupling between the laundry drum and an imbalance compensation device; and

6 a perspective view of a portion of an imbalance compensation device with a coupling element.

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

In 1 is a simplified front view of a household appliance 1 for the care of laundry items, which may be for example a washing machine or a washer-dryer, shown. The household appliance 1 includes a housing 2 in which a laundry drum 3 is rotatably mounted. A longitudinal axis or axis of rotation A ( 2 ) the laundry drum 3 is in this embodiment in the illustration in 1 oriented perpendicular to the plane of the figure. The household appliance 1 also includes a tub 4 also in the case 2 is arranged and the laundry drum 3 surrounds. The laundry drum 3 comprises a hollow cylindrical shell and a rear end wall and is also front open, so that here a feed opening is provided, through which laundry into an interior 5 the laundry drum 3 can be introduced. The loading opening is through a door 6 lockable, which is movable on the housing 2 is arranged.

In 2 is a vertical sectional view and thus a representation in the sectional plane relating to the yz plane shown. It's the laundry drum 3 with the hollow cylindrical shell 7 shown. The loading opening 8th is shown as well. The laundry drum 3 has adjacent to a rear wall or rear end wall 9 a carrying star 10 on that with the laundry drum 3 is firmly connected. The carrying star 10 is with a wave 11 rotatably connected, the shaft 11 is driven by a drive motor, not shown, so that the rotation of the laundry drum 3 is effected about the axis of rotation A.

In the operation of the household appliance 1 and thus with rotating laundry drum 3 introduced laundry items can be distributed asymmetrically about the axis A on an inner side 12 of the coat 7 create, so when turning the laundry drum 3 an imbalance can arise. To counteract or compensate for this, includes the household appliance 1 in the embodiment shown two balancing devices 13 and 14 , As can also be seen, is on the inside 12 a plurality of drivers arranged, in 2 only the one driver 15 can be seen.

The front unbalance compensation device 13 is viewed in the direction of the axis A in a front area 16 the laundry drum 3 and in particular of the coat 7 whereas the second unbalance compensation device 14 in a rear area 17 is arranged.

The first unbalance compensation device 13 is formed as a circumferential closed ring, which is rotationally symmetrical about the axis A oriented. The first unbalance compensation device 13 includes a related annular housing 18 , which in the sectional view in 2 recognizable example, a quadrangular cross-section, but may also be otherwise, for example, D-shaped. This case 18 has a cavity 19 in which one or more compensating elements 20 relative to the housing 18 are movably arranged. In the embodiment, a compensation element 20 to be a ball. It may also in addition or instead of a liquid medium in the cavity 19 be arranged.

The second unbalance compensation device is correspondingly the same 14 formed, which is also a suitably trained housing 21 , a cavity in this regard 22 and one, more preferably more, relative to the housing 21 in the cavity 22 movable compensating elements 23 having.

The unbalance compensation devices 13 and 14 are each in rotating recordings 39 used.

In 3 is in a perspective partial view of the laundry drum 3 shown. In a jacket wall or in an arranged at an angle forehead bottom of the laundry drum 3 is a coupling area 24 educated. In 3 In this case, a state is shown in which this coupling region 24 not yet shown in the finished final state. In the coupling area 24 is a franking or a free cut 25 educated. The free cut 25 is partially by bending 26 and 27 limited, here still in the plane of the wall of the laundry drum 3 extend. For the further production of the attachment of the imbalance compensation device 13 on the laundry drum 3 are as shown in 4 then two plant walls 28 and 29 by bending the bending bars 26 and 27 generated. As shown in 4 in which the plant walls 28 and 29 can be seen in their bent end position, close the plant walls 28 and 29 an angle α to each other, which is between 70 ° and 110 °. The two investment walls 28 and 29 are also radially oriented and thus are preferably perpendicular to the axis A. They are at an angle to the same level around the axis of rotation A circumferential line.

In the illustration according to 5 is a sectional view corresponding to the view in FIG 2 shown, wherein a portion of the section I in 2 is shown enlarged. As can be seen in the sectional view, a coupling element emerges 30 , which on an upper housing wall 18a of the housing 18 is integrally formed and extends in the radial direction raised to the outside, in an engagement region 31 the laundry drum 3 one. This intervention area 31 is in particular the front by the plant walls 28 and 29 limited. As can be seen, the coupling element comprises 30 , which as a deep-drawing element in the housing wall 18a which is a first housing wall 18a is formed, is formed, a first coupling bridge 32 , the direct and large area and in particular also form-fitting on the plant wall 29 is applied. An in 2 not shown, but in the perspective view according to 6 illustrated further coupling bridge 33 then lies according to the contact surface 28 large area and form-fitting.

As in 6 can be seen, are the two coupling webs 32 and 33 formed integrally and include an angle β, which corresponds to the angle between the abutment walls 28 and 29 is. The coupling webs 32 and 33 form a triangle tip, viewed in the direction of the axis of rotation A, which leads to a second housing wall 18b of the housing 18 is oriented.

As in the illustration according to 6 It can also be seen that each ends free 34 and 35 the coupling webs 32 and 33 each in a stabilization bar 36 and 37 of the coupling element 30 , wherein here again a one-piece design is provided. Between the coupling bridge 32 and the stabilizer bar 36 as well as between the coupling bridge 33 and the stabilizer bar 37 In each case an angle γ is formed, which is smaller than 90 °, preferably between 35 ° and 50 °. As in the illustration according to 6 can also be seen, is the coupling element 30 trained as an M

In addition, it can be seen that the stabilizing bars 36 and 37 about a transition 38 between the first housing wall 18a and a second housing wall disposed at an angle thereto 18b preferably between 80 ° and 100 ° to the first housing wall 18a is oriented, sublime sublime. It is thus a backup of the thermoforming element against bending back by a deformation over the transition 38 on the second housing wall 18b achieved. Here is a one-piece and thus complete and uninterrupted design of the stabilizing webs 36 and 37 educated.

The imbalance compensation device 13 is first with the at least one coupling element 30 by appropriate production, as has already been explained and a punching and deep drawing of the coupling element 30 from the housing wall 18b , Preferably also by a corresponding processing in the second housing wall 18b includes, generated. The unbalance compensation device thus provided 13 will then be in its final position to the laundry drum 3 brought, like this according to 3 provided. Is this desired relative position then between the imbalance compensation device 13 and the laundry drum 3 achieved, then in a subsequent step, a bending of the bending webs 26 and 27 performed to the orientation and design of the plant walls 28 and 29 to produce, which then form-fitting on vertical sides of the coupling webs 32 and 33 abut, wherein preferably also tops of the coupling webs 32 and 33 thus the housing wall 18a are facing away, on to the plant walls 28 and 29 subsequent roof areas of the coupling area 24 as well as in 5 is shown.

Preferably, a plurality of such coupling elements 30 formed, with investment walls on coupling areas of the laundry drum 3 keep in touch.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

 household appliance

2

 casing

3

 washing drum

4

 tub

5

 Interior

6

 door

7

 hollow cylindrical shell

8th

 loading port

9

 rear wall

10

 support star

11

 wave

12

 inside

13, 14

 Balancing devices

15

 takeaway

16

 front area

17

 the backstage area

18

 casing

18a, b

 housing wall

19

 cavity

20

 compensation element

21

 casing

22

 cavity

23

 compensating elements

24

 coupling region

25

 Clear cut

26, 27

 bending webs

28, 29

 plant walls

30

 coupling element

31

 engagement area

32, 33

 coupling webs

34, 35

 free ends

36, 37

 stabilizing webs

38

 crossing

39

 admission

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

• US 2011/0203325 A1 [0004]
• EP 2154285 A1 [0006]
• KR 102008037420A [0007]

Claims (15)

Arrangement for a household appliance ( 1 ) for the care of laundry items, with at least one laundry drum ( 3 ) for receiving laundry items, and with at least one annular unbalance compensation device ( 13 . 14 ), which in a circumferential recording ( 39 ) the laundry drum ( 3 ), characterized in that the laundry drum ( 3 ) a coupling area ( 24 ) for coupling with the imbalance compensation device ( 13 . 14 ), which has two abutment walls ( 28 . 29 ), and the imbalance compensation device ( 13 . 14 ) a housing ( 18 ) with a first housing wall ( 18a ), on which at least one raised in the radial direction above the first housing wall ( 18a ) projecting coupling element ( 30 ) is formed, which two at an angle (β) mutually oriented coupling webs ( 32 . 33 ), wherein in each case a coupling web ( 32 . 33 ) on each of a plant wall ( 28 . 29 ) is present. Arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the abutment walls ( 28 . 29 ) are arranged to each other so that they form a triangle tip. Arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the abutment walls ( 28 . 29 ) are arranged at an angle between 20 ° and 160 °, in particular between 60 ° and 120 ° to each other. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the abutment walls ( 28 . 29 ) in the radial direction to a longitudinal axis (A) of the laundry drum ( 3 ) are oriented. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the abutment walls ( 28 . 29 ) as bends of a free cut ( 25 ) in the laundry drum ( 3 ) are formed. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coupling webs ( 32 . 33 ) are formed coherently. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coupling webs ( 32 . 33 ) are rectilinear and at their free ends ( 34 . 35 ) in each case into a stabilization bar ( 36 . 37 ) of the coupling element ( 30 ). Arrangement according to claim 7, characterized in that the stabilizing webs ( 36 . 37 ) at an angle of less than 90 °, in particular less than 60 °, to the respectively connecting coupling web ( 32 . 33 ) are oriented. Arrangement according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the coupling webs ( 32 . 33 ) and the stabilizing webs ( 36 . 37 ) are integrally formed. Arrangement according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the housing ( 18 ) one at an angle to the first housing wall ( 18a ) opening second housing wall ( 18b ) and the stabilizing webs ( 36 . 37 ) about a transition ( 38 ) between the housing walls ( 18a . 18b ) and also on the second housing wall ( 18b ) are formed. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coupling element ( 30 ) with the coupling webs ( 32 . 33 ) and stabilizing bars ( 36 . 37 ) is designed as M. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coupling element ( 30 ) as a deep-drawing element in the laundry drum ( 3 ) is trained. Household appliance ( 1 ) for the care of laundry, with an arrangement according to one of the preceding claims. Method for fastening an annular unbalance compensation device ( 13 . 14 ) on a laundry drum ( 3 ) of a household appliance ( 1 ) for the care of laundry items, wherein the unbalance compensation device ( 13 . 14 ) in a circumferential axial receptacle ( 39 ) the laundry drum ( 3 ) is used, characterized in that the laundry drum ( 3 ) with a coupling region ( 24 ) with two abutment walls ( 28 . 29 ) for coupling with the imbalance compensation device ( 13 . 14 ) is formed, and the imbalance compensation device ( 13 . 14 ) a housing ( 18 ) with a first housing wall ( 18a ), on which a raised in the radial direction on the first housing wall ( 18a ) projecting and with two at an angle to each other oriented coupling webs ( 32 . 33 ) formed coupling element ( 30 ) is formed, wherein for securing the unbalance compensation device ( 13 . 14 ) each a coupling bridge ( 32 . 33 ) on each of a plant wall ( 28 . 29 ) is created. Method according to claim 14, characterized in that the unbalance compensation device ( 13 . 14 ) with its, in particular formed by deep drawing, coupling element ( 30 ) in an end position to the laundry drum ( 3 ) and then attached to a free cut in the laundry drum ( 3 ) trained plant walls ( 28 . 29 ) are bent over so that they, in particular positive fit, at the coupling webs ( 32 . 33 ) issue.

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