DE102017219046A1 - Household appliance for the care of laundry with an unbalance compensation device with deformable brake unit and method for operating such a household appliance - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a domestic appliance (1) for the care of laundry items, comprising a laundry drum (3) for receiving items of laundry, and having at least one imbalance compensation device (13, 14), which has a housing (18, 21) in which several compensating elements ( 20, 23) are movably contained, wherein in the housing (18, 21) a damping fluid (25) is included, and the imbalance compensating device (13, 14) a mechanically operated braking device (30) for braking the compensating elements (20, 23) dependent of the rotational speed of the laundry drum (3), wherein the braking device (30) has an elastically deformable in itself hollow body (31) which is fixedly arranged in the housing (18, 21), and which with the damping fluid (25) in such Contact is that at a speed of the laundry drum (3) greater than a reference speed of the laundry drum (3) a braking effect of the hollow body (31) on the compensating elements (20, 23) is repealed and egg at ner speed less than or equal to the reference speed of the laundry drum (3) at least a braking effect on the compensation elements (20, 23) is generated. The invention also relates to a method.

Description

The invention relates to a household appliance for the care of laundry items, with at least one laundry drum for receiving laundry items, and with at least one imbalance compensation device, which has a housing in which a plurality of compensating elements are movably contained. The invention further relates to a method for operating a household appliance.

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 tends in supercritical operation of the washing machine to move to one of the imbalance mass - with respect to a diameter of the laundry drum - opposite side, thus producing a counterweight for the imbalance mass and consequently overall balance.

For example, the document describes US 2011/0203325 A1 Such a configuration.

From the EP 2 441 872 A1 a washing machine is known in which balls with two externally to the laundry drum and fixedly arranged in the housing of the washing machine electromagnet can be influenced by the generated magnetic field. The electromagnets are both arranged in an upper area.

From the EP 0 942 916 A1 a device for balancing rotating bodies is known. There, a braking device is present, the braking of balls in a raceway, which is a housing reaches depending on the speed. To this track also a damping fluid is included. The raceway is formed with an elastically outwardly and thus curved away from the balls wall, which can be influenced from outside the raceway with the outside of the raceway arranged braking device. This design is only conditionally suitable to avoid the imbalance that can be generated by the balls even at low speeds. In addition, the structure is complex and space-consuming.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved over the prior art unbalance compensation of a laundry drum.

This object is achieved by a household appliance for the care of laundry and a method according to the respective independent claims.

An inventive household appliance for the care of laundry comprises a laundry drum for receiving the laundry items. The household appliance further comprises at least one unbalance compensation device, which has a housing in which a plurality of separate compensation elements are movably contained or arranged.

In the housing of the imbalance compensation device, a damping fluid is included in addition to the compensation elements. The unbalance compensation device also has a mechanically operating braking device for braking the compensation elements depending on the speed of the laundry drum. The braking device has an elastically deformable hollow body in itself, which is arranged stationary in the housing. This hollow body is in contact with the damping fluid in such a way that at a speed of the laundry drum greater than a reference speed of the laundry drum, a braking effect of the hollow body is canceled on the compensation elements and at least one braking effect on the compensation elements is generated at a speed less than or equal to the reference speed of the laundry drum. By such a configuration, a highly functional concept for speed-dependent mechanical and metered braking effect is provided, which is also constructed in addition compact and space-saving. By the installation of a specific component of this braking device saves space in a particularly advantageous manner. This component in the form of the elastically deformable hollow body is thus also protected and arranged the immediate and direct and specifically metered mechanical interaction with the damping fluid, which acts directly on the hollow body, is thereby achieved particularly advantageous. Since a very defined and precise deformability of the hollow body is achieved by this mechanical interaction of the individual influencing, thus a very finely dosed and accurate braking effect on the compensation elements can be achieved.

It is preferably provided that the hollow body is arranged on a side wall of the housing. In particular, the side wall is oriented in a plane which is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the laundry drum. Due to this positional specification, the effect of the damping fluid at specific rotational speeds can be carried out to a particular extent on the then laterally arranged configuration of the elastically deformable hollow body. This can also be done in the radial direction to this axis of rotation depending on the speeds of a very specific action of the damping fluid on the hollow body, so that it can be deformed defined at very precise radial positions, in particular depending on the speed of the laundry drum, so that out again very specific and individually tunable braking effect on the compensation elements occurs.

It is preferably provided that the hollow body extends over the entire radial extension of the side wall. Thus, in this regard, the entire extent of the side wall is used to obstruct an advantageously shaped and advantageous sized-sized hollow body in the housing can.

Preferably, it is provided that the elastically deformable hollow body in an undeformed ground state has a dome-like protruding into the housing curved membrane. Such a configuration and orientation favors the moldability by the action of the damping fluid to a particular extent. This dome-like configuration then allows very precise and dimensionally accurate the desired deformation at individual locations of the hollow body.

By a suitable choice of the dimensions of the membrane, preferably the desired deformation can additionally be set precisely. The fact is used that a membrane forms bulges under load in the form of compressive stresses. The loads can advantageously be determined in experiments or by means of simulation. Thus, the dimensions of the membrane can be set such that the load-related bumps of the membrane correspond to the desired deformation. It is particularly advantageous that the buckling of a membrane can be reproducibly reproduced with respect to the deformation in relation to the degree of deformation and the position of the deformation and thus larger deformations can be provided. In other words, the dimensioning of the membrane is determined so as to form a buckling structure that corresponds to the desired deformation. Thus, even at low loads, the desired deformations can be provided.

Preferably, it is provided that the damping fluid during the rotation of the laundry drum by the centrifugal acceleration in a radially outer region of the housing can be brought and thereby an action on the hollow body to its deformation can be generated. Thus, the higher the rotational speed, the more the centrifugal acceleration acts on the damping fluid in the housing, so that this damping fluid is pushed radially further and further outward. Since the damping fluid is incompressible, it can be distributed in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation in the housing and thereby form a pressure on the elastically deformable hollow body in this direction. A particularly advantageous automatic and finely adjustable deformation effect on the hollow body is thereby achieved in the housing itself.

Preferably, it is provided that the volume of the damping fluid is such that at a speed greater than the reference speed of the level of the damping fluid at half of the dimensioned in the radial direction to the axis of rotation clear width of the interior of the housing. Such a quasi-half filling of the inner volume of the housing, less the volume of the hollow body and the compensation elements, in the radial direction with the damping fluid allows in a particularly advantageous manner, the above-mentioned interactions. A very continuous and finely metered action on the elastically deformable hollow body is thereby made possible.

Preferably, it is provided that compensation elements are held by the hollow body at a speed less than or equal to the reference speed, but at a speed greater than zero, after braking in a holding position in the housing. This means in an advantageous manner that, when the laundry drum still rotates at a specific speed, which is relatively small, the compensating elements in the Do not move the housing relative to the housing itself. As a result, an additional imbalance at low speed is avoided in a particularly advantageous manner, which is optionally produced by undesirable distributed compensation elements and still undesirable moving compensation elements, which can then even contribute to the imbalance of the laundry items in the drum.

It is preferably provided that in the holding position, a compensation element between a side wall of the housing and the hollow body is clamped. A particularly effective principle for fixing the position of a compensating element is thereby made possible.

It is preferably provided that the cavity of the hollow body is formed airtight. Thereby, the desired deformation can be achieved particularly advantageous and also possibly more abruptly occurring forces acting through the damping fluid on the hollow body, can then be taken relatively dosed and do not lead to an abrupt undesirable large deformation of the hollow body.

It is preferably provided that on one of the side wall, on which the hollow body is arranged, opposite side wall of the housing depressions are formed as counter-forms, in which compensating elements in the above-mentioned holding position immersed in the housing. As a result, the fixing of this holding position of a compensating element is further improved. Through these troughs, an improved holding action is thus achieved on a compensating element in the azimuthal direction about the axis of rotation on opposite sides, since a large-area fitting of a compensating element is thus given on one side to this surface of the trough and on the other hand to the hollow body over a large area.

It is preferably provided that the reference speed is less than or equal to a speed corresponding to the resonance range of the laundry drum.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for operating a household appliance for the care of laundry items, with a laundry drum for receiving laundry items. The household appliance moreover has at least one unbalance compensation device, which has a housing in which a plurality of compensating elements are movably contained. In the housing, a damping fluid is included. The unbalance compensation device also has a mechanically operating braking device for braking the compensation elements depending on the speed of the laundry drum. The braking device is formed with an elastically deformable hollow body in itself, which is arranged stationary in the housing. This hollow body is brought into contact with the damping fluid within the housing so that at a speed of the laundry drum greater a reference speed of the laundry drum, a braking effect of the hollow body is lifted to the compensation elements and at a speed less than or equal to the reference speed of the laundry drum at least a braking effect on the Compensation elements is generated.

Preferably, the damping fluid is brought in the rotation of the laundry drum by the centrifugal acceleration in a radially outer region of the housing and thereby generates an effect on the hollow body and its deformation. Compensating elements are held in an advantageous manner by the hollow body at a speed less than or equal to the reference speed, but at a speed greater than zero, after braking in a holding position in the housing. In such a holding position, a compensating element is advantageously clamped between a side wall of the housing and the hollow body. Advantageously, the elastically deformable hollow body is designed as an elastic, profiled ring-shaped hose. Advantageously, the defined deformation of this hollow body is caused by the pressure differences in the interior of the housing, which are formed by the centrifugal acceleration upon rotation of this annular housing about the axis of rotation of the drum. This damping fluid is pressed against the outer surfaces of the compensation elements, so that forms an advantageous level. The in this case then forming surface of the damping fluid is oriented in an advantageous manner perpendicular to the outer surface of the hollow body in order to make the best possible use of the pressure differences. In addition to a partial filling of the volume of the housing with a damping fluid, which is advantageous, however, a complete filling can be provided. The deformation of the in the ground state preferably dome-like configuration of the hollow body changes with a change in the force on the compensating elements with which they are frictionally and / or positively hold between opposite or perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the laundry drum-oriented side walls of the housing. It can also be provided that the hollow body acts indirectly with a force on the compensating elements in order to make material configurations, force effects and installation space improved in this regard.

If the speed is increased, there is also an increase in the centrifugal acceleration, which results in different pressures in the housing in media of different densities and increases the pressure gradient in the media. As a result, a deformation of the membrane or the hollow body is reinforced, so that in this respect the compensation elements facing buckle is canceled and in this respect is reduced, so that the braking effect is reduced to the compensation elements. It may also be provided a design in which with increasing speed of the laundry drum and thus with increasing speed of the motion-coupled housing of the balancing device, the deformation of the hollow body otherwise takes place and then decreases with increasing speed, the braking effect on the compensating elements.

The shape of the hollow body can be varied and varied. Depending on which rotational speeds at which braking effect should occur, different shapes and / or different elasticities of the material of the hollow body may be formed here. It can also be dependent on how large the turnover range is in the speed, and which secondary functions are to be fulfilled. Here, for example, the detention of the balls may be mentioned in a certain position. In addition, could form, even independently of the hollow body, the already mentioned wells in a direction perpendicular to the rotational axis oriented side wall of the housing as holding elements. By a specific arrangement of such, designed as a particular trough counter-mold, a certain distribution of the compensation elements can be achieved by after balancing the imbalance during defrosting is maintained at a speed or this is slightly varied over a certain period, so that slippage of the compensation elements in the areas where there are no such countershapes and thus only a frictional contact is there, is possible until each compensating element is in an existing counter-mold and then there is a positive contact in this regard, and thus the balls can not slip through.

Preferably, the hollow body is formed in such an embodiment so that in the event that two adjacent counter-forms are already occupied with compensating elements and there is still at least one other compensation element, this is able to knock out one of the already set compensation elements until each Compensation element is arranged dipping in a counter-mold. The number of countershapes is preferably at least two, depending on the number of compensating elements. With a uniform distribution of the counter-forms, it is advantageous if this number of counter-forms can be divided without remainder by the number of compensating elements. This results in an angle between the two counter-forms, in particular two adjacent counter-forms, divided by 360 ° by the number of counter-forms.

$$D\left(f\right)=\left\{\left(h,x,w\right)\in {ℝ}^3|0<h\mathrm{,0}\le w\mathrm{,0}\le x\le w\mathrm{,0}<w\right\}$$

More precisely, the profile shape of the hollow body can be described in particular by a geometric function of the center axis or center line of the surface to be deformed. For this purpose, the following formula refers to a coordinate system in which the y-axis is parallel to the axis of rotation of the laundry drum, and the x-axis is oriented perpendicular thereto. Preferably, the shape of the hollow body can be described by a formula of a segment of a circle, as indicated below. $$f\left(H.x.w\right)=\sqrt{{\left(\frac{a{\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="2"\; label="H"\; filenames="DE102017219046A1\_0005.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">H</figure-callout>}}^2+{\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="2"\; label="w"\; filenames="DE102017219046A1\_0005.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">w</figure-callout>}}^2}{\mathrm{8th}H}\right)}^2-{\left(x-\frac{1}{2}\right)}^2}+\frac{H}{2}-\frac{{\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="2"\; label="w"\; filenames="DE102017219046A1\_0005.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">w</figure-callout>}}^2}{\mathrm{8th}H}$$

$$D\left(f\right)=\left\{\left(H.x.w\right)\in {ℝ}^3|0<H\mathrm{,\; 0}\le w\mathrm{,\; 0}\le x\le w\mathrm{,\; 0}<w\right\}$$

$$D\left(f\right)=\left\{\left(a,h,x,w\right)\in {ℝ}^4|\text{arctan}\left(\frac{8h}{3w}\right)\le \alpha \le \text{arctan}\left(\frac{4h}{w}\right)\mathrm{,0}\le x\le w\mathrm{,0}<w\right\}$$

Another possibility is the description by a two-part function, which results from a spline interpolation with a fourth-degree approach function. This formula 2 reads as follows: $$f\left(\alpha .H.x.w\right)=\{\begin{array}{l}\frac{wx\text{tan}\left(\alpha \right){\left(w-2x\right)}^2\left(w+4\right)+16H{x}^3\left(2w-3x\right)}{w^4}für0\le x\le \frac{1}{2}w\\ \frac{\left(w-x\right)(w\text{tan}\left(\alpha \right)\left(5w-4x\right){\left(w-2x\right)}^2-16\left(w-3x\right){\left(w-x\right)}^2}{w^4}\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="1"\; label="f\; ü\; r"\; filenames="DE102017219046A1\_0005.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">f\; </figure-callout>}ür\frac{1}{2}w<x\le w\end{array}$$

$$D\left(f\right)=\left\{\left(a.H.x.w\right)\in {\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="4"\; label="R"\; filenames="DE102017219046A1\_0005.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">ℝ</figure-callout>}}^4|\text{arctan}\left(\frac{\mathrm{8th}H}{3w}\right)\le \alpha \le \text{arctan}\left(\frac{4H}{w}\right)\mathrm{,\; 0}\le x\le w\mathrm{,\; 0}<w\right\}$$

In addition, a variety of other options is given to describe the profile shape of the hollow body. In addition to the profile shape of the central axis of the surface to be deformed, the thickness of the side to be deformed can be advantageously set for the application. This could also be variable, for example in the region of the fluid ring thinner than in the area filled with air, to promote deformation in which the maximum of the profile as far as possible moves to the coordinate origin of the coordinate system, so that the compensation elements are better released ,

In addition, it could be advantageous for all variants to provide the surface to be deformed of the hollow body by local elevations or depressions in the profile and / or along the profile, either to improve the deformation or to improve the holding effect at a defined location.

Likewise, an individual configuration may be provided on the design of the hollow body. It is possible, because cavity of the hollow body or along the hollow body to divide this into smaller subspaces, also to make the deformation individually or to improve the holding effect at a defined location. Furthermore, in various embodiments, the filling of the cavity may be a fluid other than air. The housing may likewise be filled with a fluid other than air in addition to the damping fluid. Furthermore, one or more of the fluids used may be under a pressure other than the ambient pressure.

It may be provided in one embodiment that a diameter of a compensating element formed as a ball is significantly different from the width of the hollow body and / or the hollow body and thus the profile does not start directly on the running surface of the compensating element, so that the point of maximum deformation of the hollow body in best case is at the level of the center of a designed as a ball compensating element. With a desired braking effect at higher speeds, it is therefore advantageous if the width of the profile and thus the width of the hollow body is smaller than the diameter of such a ball and vice versa when clamping or holding at low speed, this width of the profile is greater than the diameter of the Ball, when the profile begins at the running surface of the ball.

By the proposed embodiments, a concept can be made possible, which is significantly improved with respect to the wear of specific parts. In addition, this embodiment is designed without magnetic influence on compensation elements, so that a magnetic field is prevented, which may optionally act on the electronics of the household appliance.

The compensation elements are in particular balls. The balls can move in the cavity of the housing accordingly. It can be provided that in this cavity of the housing in addition also oil or water is contained as a damping fluid through which a noise of the relative to the housing moving compensation elements, in particular the balls, is further reduced.

The terms "top", "bottom", "front", "rear", "horizontal", "vertical", "depth direction", "width direction", "height direction", etc. are the positions given and intended use of the device Orientations indicated.

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.

• 1 eine schematische Frontansicht eines Ausführungsbeispiels eines erfindungsgemäßen Haushaltsgeräts zur Pflege von Wäschestücken;
• 2 in schematischer Darstellung eine Schnittansicht durch einen Bereich einer Anordnung mit einer Wäschetrommel und Unwuchtausgleichsvorrichtungen gemäß einer Ausführungsform der Erfindung; und
• 3 eine schematische Schnittdarstellung durch einen Teilbereich des Haushaltsgeräts gemäß 1, in dem das Gehäuse der Unwuchtausgleichsvorrichtung mit einem Ausgleichselement und einem in dem Gehäuse angeordneten elastisch verformbaren Hohlkörper, der Bestandteil einer Bremseinrichtung der Unwuchtausgleichsvorrichtung ist, gezeigt ist.

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; and
• 3 a schematic sectional view through a portion of the household appliance according to 1 in which the housing of the imbalance compensation device with a compensation element and an elastically deformable hollow body arranged in the housing, which is part of a braking device of the imbalance compensation device, is shown.

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 around the axis of rotation A is effected.

In the operation of the household appliance 1 and thus with rotating laundry drum 3 can be introduced laundry items unbalanced around the axis A distributed on an inside 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 in the direction of the axis A considered 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 designed as a circumferential closed ring, which is rotationally symmetrical about the axis A is 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 compensation elements 20 relative to the housing 18 are movably arranged. In the embodiment, a compensation element 20 to be a ball. It may also, or instead of, a liquid medium, such as oil or water, in the cavity 19 be arranged, which is a damping fluid 25 is.

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 separate compensating elements 23 which are balls.

The unbalance compensation devices 13 and 14 are each in rotating recordings 24 used.

In 3 is a partial section of the imbalance compensation device in a vertical sectional view 13 shown. The representation in 3 is compared to 2 below the axis A and thus in 2 opposite to the representation in 2 shown.

The housing 18 is designed as a ring housing and revolving around the axis A arranged. The laundry drum 3 motion-coupled housing 18 contains in the cavity 19 a plurality of such formed as balls compensation elements 20 , The square in cross-section, in particular square, in particular rectangular, housing 18 has a first sidewall 26 on, which is radially oriented and thus perpendicular to the axis of rotation A is oriented. The housing 18 has in this context a second side wall 27 on, which is also vertical to the axis of rotation A is oriented and parallel to the opposite side wall 26 is oriented. In a further embodiment, the housing 18 a third sidewall 28 on, parallel to the axis A is oriented. A radially further outward further, fourth side wall 29 is also parallel to the axis A oriented. As can also be seen, the unbalance compensation device knows 13 a braking device 30 on. The braking device 30 is for at least slowing down the compensation elements 20 depending on a specific speed of the laundry drum 3 educated.

The braking device 30 has an elastically deformable hollow body 31 up in the cavity 19 and thus within the housing 18 is arranged. The hollow body 31 is in the illustrated embodiment on a side wall 27 arranged perpendicular to the axis A is oriented. The hollow body 31 could also be in addition to or instead of on the other side wall 26 be arranged. As can also be seen, the elastically deformable hollow body 31 a domed into the cavity 19 extending front wall 32 on, which is elastically deformable. This dome-like geometry is given in the undeformed state. The dome-like shape is the sidewall 27 at which the hollow body 31 is arranged, facing away and the compensation element 20 facing. In the embodiment shown, the hollow body extends 31 over the entire radial extent of the side wall 27 , In particular, it is provided in this embodiment that the hollow body 31 , and in particular the front wall 32 , in corner areas 33 and 34 empties. At a speed of the laundry drum 3 less than or equal to a reference speed of the laundry drum 3 is the front wall 32 essentially in the basic form, as in 3 is shown. In this condition, a braking effect on the compensation elements 20 accompanied. In particular, it is provided that at relatively low speeds, which are greater than zero speed, the braking effect of the braking device 30 goes into a hold. This means that the compensation elements 20 not only be braked, but completely brought to a standstill and thus further rotation of the laundry drum 3 the compensation elements 20 fixed in position in the housing 18 be held and thus no longer relative to the housing 18 move.

In this context, it is provided that the force of the elastically deformable hollow body 31 on the compensation elements 20 almost in the direction of the axis of rotation A act and thus a force on a connecting line between the radial to the axis of rotation A oriented side walls 26 and 27 he follows. By the braking device 30 For example, specific speeds will be the compensation element 20 towards the opposite side wall 26 pressed.

With an increase in the rotational speed, in particular via the reference rotational speed, the damping fluid is due to the centrifugal acceleration 25 pressed radially outward. Due to this fact takes place in the direction of the axis A a distribution of the related liquid and there is a pressure from the damping fluid 25 on the front wall 32 , In 3 is an example of a first level in the context F1 of the damping fluid 25 shown in which already a speed of the laundry drum 3 is reached, which is greater than the reference speed. Due to this fact is already a deformation of the front wall 32 occurred through the dashed line 32 ' is indicated. Due to this deformation towards the side wall 27 towards and thus from the compensation element 20 away the braking effect is at least reduced, in particular repealed and in particular a direct contact between the front wall 32 and the compensation element 20 not given anymore. This is different from the embodiment, as previously explained, in which at speeds less than the reference speed, the front wall 32 then directly to the compensation element 20 is present and contacted.

With a further increase in the speed, another level is set F2 of the damping fluid 25 in, in this regard, an even further deformation of the front wall 32 occured. The level F2 characterizes a situation in which in the radial direction to the axis A considered, the damping fluid 25 the cavity 19 fills half, so the clear width L of the housing 18 half filled.

It can be provided that during a braking action of the braking device 30 the compensation element 20 on the opposite side 26 is arranged and contacted in a flat area. It may be provided in an advantageous embodiment, that on the opposite side 26 a hollow 35 is designed as a counter-mold, in which the compensation element 20 is pressed when a corresponding stop position is reached. As a result, the holding position is maintained even better.

In 3 is also an exemplary coordinate system K1 drawn, in which the y-axis parallel to the axis of rotation A is oriented and the x-axis is oriented perpendicular thereto. This coordinate system K1 is exemplary of the formulas 1 and 2 given above.

Preferably, the front wall 32 uninterrupted and completely circulating on the side wall 27 trained and therefore almost as about the axis A circumferential hollow body 31 educated. A cavity 36 the elastically deformable hollow body 31 is preferably air-filled and the hollow body 31 arranged airtight. If, starting from a rotational speed which is greater than the reference rotational speed, a reduction of the rotational speed is carried out, then the fill level of the damping fluid changes 25 for example, from the level F2 towards the level F1 , With a further reduction of the speed below the reference speed, a level is then again reached, in which the deformation of the front wall 32 is further reduced, so this is the compensation element 20 contacted again, especially in the in 3 transitioned by the solid line dome-like ground state passes and in the context of the braking effect is generated.

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

19

cavity

20

compensation element

21

casing

22

cavity

23

compensating elements

24

admission

25

damping fluid

26

Side wall

27

Side wall

28

Side wall

29

Side wall

30

braking means

31

hollow body

32

front wall

32 '

dashed line

33, 34

corner areas

35

trough

36

cavity

A

axis

F1

first level

F2

additional level

K1

coordinate system

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 2441872 A1 [0005]
• EP 0942916 A1 [0006]

Claims (15)

Household appliance (1) for the care of laundry items, with a laundry drum (3) for receiving items of laundry, and with at least one imbalance compensation device (13, 14) which has a housing (18, 21) in which a plurality of compensating elements (20, 23) are movably contained, wherein in the housing (18, 21) a damping fluid (25) is included, and the imbalance compensating device (13, 14) a mechanically operated braking device (30) for braking the compensating elements (20, 23) depending on the speed of the Laundry drum (3), characterized in that the braking device (30) has an elastically deformable in itself hollow body (31) which is arranged in the housing (18, 21) stationary, and which with the damping fluid (25) in contact is that at a speed of the laundry drum (3) greater than a reference speed of the laundry drum (3) a braking effect of the hollow body (31) on the compensation elements (20, 23) is repealed and at a R speed is less than or equal to the reference speed of the laundry drum (3) at least a braking effect on the compensation elements (20, 23) is generated. Household appliance (1) after Claim 1 , characterized in that the hollow body (31) on an inner side of a, in particular perpendicular to the axis of rotation (A) oriented side wall (26, 27) of the housing (18) is arranged. Household appliance (1) after Claim 2 , characterized in that the hollow body (31) extends over the entire radial extent of the side wall (26, 27). Domestic appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hollow body (31) in the undeformed ground state in the housing (18, 21) dome-like curved front wall (32). Household appliance (1) after Claim 4 , characterized in that the damping fluid (25) during the rotation of the laundry drum (3) by the centrifugal acceleration in a radially outer region of the housing (18, 21) can be brought and thereby an action on the hollow body (31) to its deformation can be generated , Domestic appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the volume of the damping fluid (25) is such that at a speed greater than the reference speed of the level (F1, F2) of the damping fluid (25) at half in the radial direction to the axis of rotation (A) dimensioned clear width (L) of the cavity (19) of the housing (18, 21). Domestic appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that compensating elements (20, 23) are held by the hollow body (31) at a speed less than or equal to the reference speed after braking in a holding position in the housing (18, 21). Household appliance (1) after Claim 7 , characterized in that in the holding position, a compensating element (20, 23) between a side wall (26) of the housing (18, 21) and the hollow body (31) is clamped. Domestic appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cavity (36) of the hollow body (31) is formed airtight. Domestic appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on one of the side wall (27) on which the hollow body (31) is arranged, opposite side wall (26) of the housing (18, 21) at least one counter-mold (35) is formed, in which a compensating element (20, 23) in a holding position in the housing (18, 21) is immersed. Domestic appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reference speed is less than or equal to a resonance range of the laundry drum (3) corresponding speed. Method for operating a domestic appliance (1) for the care of items of laundry, comprising a laundry drum (3) for receiving items of laundry, and having at least one imbalance compensating device (13, 14), which has a housing (18, 21) in which a plurality of compensating elements ( 20, 23) are movably contained, wherein in the housing (18, 21) a damping fluid (25) is included, and the imbalance compensation device (13, 14) a mechanically operated braking device (30) for braking the Compensation elements (20, 23) depending on the rotational speed of the laundry drum (3), characterized in that the braking device (30) has an elastically deformable in itself hollow body (31) which is arranged in the housing (18, 21) stationary, and which is brought into contact with the damping fluid (25) such that at a speed of the laundry drum (3) greater than a reference speed of the laundry drum (3) a braking effect of the hollow body (31) on the compensating elements (20, 23) is canceled and at a speed less than or equal to the reference speed of the laundry drum (3) at least one braking effect on the compensation elements (20, 23) is generated. Method according to Claim 12 , characterized in that the damping fluid (25) is brought in the rotation of the laundry drum (3) by the centrifugal acceleration in a radially outer region of the housing (18, 21) and thereby an action on the hollow body (31) is generated to its deformation , Method according to Claim 12 or 13 , characterized in that compensating elements (20, 23) by the hollow body (31) at a speed less than or equal to the reference speed after braking in a holding position in the housing (18, 21) are held. Method according to Claim 14 , characterized in that in the holding position, a compensating element (20, 23) between a side wall (26) of the housing (18, 21) and the hollow body (31) is clamped.

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