DE102019209431A1 - Household appliance for treating laundry - Google Patents

Abstract

A household appliance (1) for treating laundry comprises a housing (2), with a housing top (11) and a housing bottom (13), a tub (19) which is arranged in the housing (2), a receiving container (21), which is arranged in the tub (19). The household appliance (1) further comprises an opening (8) which is formed on the housing (2) and through which the receptacle (21) can be loaded and unloaded, an appliance door (9) for closing the opening (8), the appliance door (9) comprises a window element (10) and a sealing ring (15) which is formed on the housing (2) and is arranged at an opening edge (14) essentially surrounding it, the appliance door (9) in a closed state on the sealing ring ( 15) and the sealing ring (15) has at least one sealing opening (17) through which fluids flow, with at least one receiving element (29) being arranged in the area of the window element (10), which is detachable via at least one connecting unit (31) can be coupled to the window element (10).

Description

The invention relates to a household appliance for treating laundry.

In household appliances for treating laundry, different types of fluids or different fluid-like substances flow in the household appliance for treating laundry. In the case of dryers, the fluids can essentially consist of steam or process air. In washing machines, the fluids essentially comprise a mixture of water and soap. Both fluids, steam and / or process air and the water-soap mixture are used for cleaning and drying in washer-dryers. Furthermore, the fluids can include fabric softeners or other laundry treatment agents known to those skilled in the art.

The fluids are usually mixed with one another in a chamber attached to the household appliance, the so-called dispensing bowl, and then added to a treatment process in the mixed manner. The fluids are fed into the treatment process via supply lines from the dispenser to a laundry treatment room. In the case of household appliances without a pumping circuit, the fluid is fed in via a dispensing channel which is fluidically connected to a tub. The dispensing channel can convey the fluid into the tub and / or direct it directly into the tub if the dispensing channel is connected directly to the suds container via an opening in a sleeve, also called a sealing ring.

In the US 8,485,532 B2 a washing machine is disclosed which has an appliance top, a tub and a sight glass formed in the door. The sight glass has a curved shape in an upper region which faces the top of the device and extends in the direction of the tub.

A washing machine with a pumping system or pumping circuit is in the DE 10 2012 110 179 A1 described. In addition to the pumping system, which pumps fluid flowing out of the tub back into the tub, discloses the DE 10 2012 110 179 A1 an inlet system through which the fluid is led from a water connection into the tub. The inlet system has a feed line and a nozzle, the nozzle being intended to guide the fluid into the tub with a specific pressure and a specific spray direction. The sight glass also has a shape that is curved or funnel-shaped in the direction of the tub.

During cleaning and / or drying processes, laundry can get caught on the sight glass due to the curved or funnel-shaped shape, so that the flow path of the fluid is negatively influenced. Furthermore, the laundry that gets caught in this area is at least temporarily excluded from the further cleaning and / or drying process, as a result of which a result of the cleaning and / or drying process is negatively influenced.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a household appliance for treating laundry in which it is avoided that the laundry to be treated collects in the area of the sight glass during a cleaning and / or drying process in such a way that the flow path of the fluid is unaffected and a cleaning and / or drying process can be guaranteed in which no laundry collects in the area of the sight glass and thus contributes to a positive result of the cleaning and / or drying process.

This object is achieved by the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent patent claims, the description and the drawings.

According to one aspect, the object according to the invention is achieved by a household appliance for treating laundry. The household appliance for treating laundry comprises a housing, with a housing top and a housing bottom, and a tub, which is arranged in the housing. Furthermore, the household appliance comprises a receptacle which is arranged in the tub, an opening which is formed on the housing and through which the receptacle can be loaded and unloaded, and an appliance door for closing the opening, the appliance door comprising a window element. A sealing ring is formed on the housing and is arranged at an opening edge essentially bordering, wherein the appliance door rests sealingly against the sealing ring in a closed state and the sealing ring has at least one sealing opening through which fluids flow. The household appliance furthermore has at least one receiving element which is arranged in the area of the window element, wherein the at least one receiving element can be detachably coupled to the window element via at least one connection unit.

The at least one receiving element can ensure that the laundry bounces off or pushes off the receiving element so that the laundry is moved by the rotational movement of a receiving container arranged in the tub and, among other things, reaches the area of the window element and is returned to the receptacle. Furthermore, a constant quality can be guaranteed over the entire cleaning and / or drying process with a fluid supply via the sealing openings in the sealing ring.

In a washing machine, the receptacle is called a washing drum. As an alternative to the guard drum, a receptacle for laundry can be seen in a dryer. In the case of a washer-dryer, it can be the receptacle and / or the washing drum. So that the description of the exemplary embodiments can be kept as simple as possible in the following, only a washing machine is described. However, it cannot be ruled out that it can just as well be a dryer and / or a washer-dryer.

The window element has a partially funnel-shaped shape in the direction of the receptacle, the window element having an upper region and the upper region of the window element facing the upper side of the housing, and wherein the receiving element is advantageously arranged in the upper region of the window element.

Due to its flow-optimized shape, the window element has many areas at or in which items of clothing can collect during the rotation of the washing drum. However, when it comes into contact with the window element, the laundry preferably collects in the partially funnel-shaped shape of the window element, which as a rule are formed in an upper region of the window element. The window element can be transparent, but a fully clad window element is also conceivable, as is used in various dryer devices. Furthermore, if no mechanical force acts on the receptacle, it can be ensured that the fluid is released almost from the top of the device onto the laundry, which collects in an area of the receptacle facing the underside of the housing, so that the fluid is as possible with the help of gravity can wet a lot of laundry.

An additional element for introducing laundry treatment substances can preferably be attached to the receiving element, the additional element being fluidically connected to the receiving element.

With the additional element, various laundry treatment substances can be added to the cleaning and / or drying process, which improve the cleaning and / or drying result. Depending on the item of clothing, a different laundry treatment substance can be advantageous, for example.

The attachment of the additional element can be carried out similarly to the attachment of the receiving element. It could be attached, for example, by means of latching and / or plug connections. However, other attachment or fastening options are also conceivable which ensure that the additional element remains firmly anchored during a cleaning and / or drying process. The additional element can be easily integrated into the household appliance by simply attaching it to the receiving element and, if necessary, can also be removed again quickly and easily. Furthermore, the additional element can serve as an additional blocker or gentle laundry return element, since the additional element can ensure that no items of clothing can collect in this area of the window element.

The receiving element advantageously has an internal channel and at least one nozzle, the channel being suitable for conveying a fluid and the nozzle being suitable for distributing the fluid.

The internal channel guides the fluid in a targeted manner to a place of use where the fluid is required. The fluid is introduced into the cleaning and / or drying process through the nozzle.

The nozzle is preferably designed to be movable. This allows the nozzle to be adjusted to the respective cleaning and / or drying process. The nozzle could, for example, also be adjusted automatically by the household appliance as a function of a cleaning and / or drying program and / or during a cleaning and / or drying program and assume different positions.

As an alternative to the movable nozzle described above, in an alternative embodiment the nozzle is designed to be essentially immovable. The immovable nozzle ensures that the nozzle continuously delivers the fluid into the receptacle in a preferred output position and that it is almost impossible to adjust the nozzle.

A connecting element is preferably formed on the receiving element, the connecting element being arranged in the at least one sealing opening in such a way that the fluid flows from the at least one sealing opening into the receiving element.

The connecting element ensures a smooth transition of the fluid into the receiving element, so that the fluid can flow from the sealing opening into the inner channel of the receiving element.

The connecting element is advantageously connected fluidically to a fluid system of the household appliance. The fluid that is to be returned to the receptacle during a pumping process, for example, and / or the fluid that comes from a dispensing bowl of the household appliance can flow into the receptacle via the connecting element and thus be conducted into the receptacle.

The at least one sealing opening is advantageously formed on the sealing ring in the area of the upper side of the housing. Since the receiving element is arranged in the upper region of the window element, the path that the fluid has to cover from the fluid system of the household appliance to the receiving element is kept as short as possible, so that further guidance systems are not required.

• 1 zeigt eine schematische Frontansicht eines Haushaltsgeräts zum Behandeln von Wäsche, hier beispielsweise eine Waschmaschine;
• 2 zeigt eine schematische Querschnittsansicht eines Haushaltsgeräts zum Behandeln von Wäsche;
• 3a zeigt eine schematische Querschnittsansicht eines Haushaltsgeräts zum Behandeln von Wäsche mit einer Ausgestaltung eines Aufnahmeelements;
• 3b zeigt eine schematische Querschnittsansicht eines Haushaltsgeräts zum Behandeln von Wäsche mit einer weiteren Ausgestaltung eines Aufnahmeelements;
• 4a zeigt eine schematische Querschnittsansicht eines Haushaltsgeräts zum Behandeln von Wäsche mit einem Aufnahmeelement und einer Düse;
• 4b zeigt eine schematische Querschnittsansicht eines Haushaltsgeräts zum Behandeln von Wäsche mit einem Aufnahmeelement und einem innenliegenden Kanal;
• 5 zeigt eine schematische Querschnittsansicht eines Haushaltsgeräts zum Behandeln von Wäsche mit einem Aufnahmeelement und einem Zusatzelement.

Further properties and advantages of the present invention emerge from the following description with reference to the drawings.

• 1 shows a schematic front view of a household appliance for treating laundry, here for example a washing machine;
• 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a household appliance for treating laundry;
• 3a shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a household appliance for treating laundry with an embodiment of a receiving element;
• 3b shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a household appliance for treating laundry with a further embodiment of a receiving element;
• 4a shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a household appliance for treating laundry with a receiving element and a nozzle;
• 4b shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a household appliance for treating laundry with a receiving element and an internal channel;
• 5 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a household appliance for treating laundry with a receiving element and an additional element.

In 1 Figure 3 is a schematic front view of a household appliance 1 for treating laundry, in particular a washing machine, shown. It can also be used under a household appliance 1 a dryer, a tumble dryer or a dishwasher can also be understood. For the sake of simplicity, only a washing machine is used as a household appliance in the following 1 described in more detail.

The household appliance 1 for treating laundry that is in 1 shown has a housing 2 with a washing machine front wall 3 on. On the washing machine front wall 3 is, among other things, a movable dispensing bowl 5 , into which a laundry treatment substance and / or a laundry care substance, such as a detergent and / or a fabric softener, can be filled. Furthermore, the household appliance 1 a washing machine display unit 7th with which, among other things, a washing program can be set. For filling the household appliance 1 with laundry is an opening 8th in the household appliance 1 provided by an appliance door 9 is covered. The appliance door 9 is preferably pivotable on the household appliance 1 arranged and advantageously has a window element 10 on. The window element 10 can be transparent or non-transparent, depending on the type of household appliance 1 or as you wish. Furthermore, the housing 2 of the household appliance 1 a housing top 11 and a case bottom 13th on which essentially the household appliance 1 limit in height, with the housing top 11 the bottom of the housing is opposite.

The opening 8th of the household appliance 1 has an opening edge 14th on which a sealing ring 15th is arranged. The sealing ring 15th is like this at the edge of the opening 14th is arranged to have the opening 8th rimmed or sheathed. When the appliance door is closed 9 , is the appliance door 9 such on the sealing ring 15th that the appliance door 9 sealing on the housing 2 is applied so that no fluid or no process air over or through the opening during a cleaning and / or drying process 8th from the household appliance 1 can escape.

In 2 Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a household appliance 1 shown for treating laundry.

In the home appliance 1 is a tub 19th educated. The suds container 19th is in the household appliance 1 arranged essentially immovable. In the tub 19th is a movably arranged receptacle 21st arranged. The receptacle 21st is preferably rotatable in the tub 19th stored.

The window element 10 has an upper area 23a and a lower area 25a on, being the top area 23a of the window element 10 the top of the housing 11 facing and the lower area 25a of the window element 10 the bottom of the case 13th is facing. The sealing ring 15th also has an upper area 23b and a lower area 25b on, which is analogous to the upper range 23a of the window element 10 and the lower area 25a of the window element 10 is defined.

The sealing ring 15th , also called a cuff, has at least one sealing opening 17th on (in 4a shown for example). At least one sealing opening 17th is in an upper area 23b of the sealing ring 15th arranged. Furthermore, at least one sealing opening 17th in a lower area 25b of the sealing ring 15th be arranged (not shown). The at least one sealing opening 17th that are in an upper area 23b is designed, is suitable for fluid in the receiving container 21st or in the tub 19th to direct. The at least one sealing opening 17th that in a lower area 25b is designed, is suitable for fluid from the receiving container 21st or from the tub 19th to direct.

That in the 2 to 5 shown window element 10 furthermore has a partially funnel-shaped shape in the direction of the receiving container. The partially funnel-shaped shape extends into the receptacle 21st inside. Furthermore, the window element 10 a slope 27 on. The slope 27 is in the upper area 23a of the window element 10 educated. The slope 27 far a starting point A. and an endpoint B. on, being the starting point A. the top of the device 11 is facing and the end point B. the bottom of the device 13th is facing. Furthermore is the starting point A. the slope 27 the washing machine front wall 3 facing. The end point B. the slope 27 is the receptacle 21st facing. The slope 27 runs between the starting point A. and the end point B. such an incline that the incline extends into the receptacle 21st extends.

In 3a Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a home appliance 1 for treating laundry with a first embodiment of a receiving element 29 shown. The receiving element 29 is arranged in the area of the window element and is via at least one connection unit 31 with the window element 10 connected. In particular, the receiving element 29 on the slope 27 of the window element 10 formed attachable. The receiving element 29 is separable on the window element 10 arranged and can be easily removed from the window element, for example for cleaning purposes 10 can be released and reassembled after cleaning. The receiving element 29 preferably has a configuration such that the area between the incline 27 and the upper area 23a of the sealing ring 15th results, is filled so that no laundry can collect in this area during the cleaning and / or drying process. The laundry is from the receiving element 29 blocked or gently rejected in such a way that the laundry is returned to the receptacle 21st is promoted.

The at least one connection unit 31 can comprise a latching and / or plug connection. However, it is also conceivable that a magnetic connection between the receiving element 29 and the window element 10 can be produced. On or in the window element 10 however, there can also be provided receiving points into which the receiving element 29 is used with divergent means. A screw and / or clamp connection would also be conceivable. Only a few types of connection are described here, but other types of connection are also known to the person skilled in the art.

As in 3a is shown, the receiving element 29 a substantially elongated shape, the elongated shape preferably extending along the slope 27 of the window element 10 extends. But it is also conceivable that the receiving element 29 , as in 3b is shown, has an elongated shape and on one of the top of the device 11 facing side, an element protruding from the elongated shape 33 having. The protruding element 33 can, as shown here, have the shape of a shark fin, for example in the cross-sectional view. The protruding element 33 serves here as an additional blocker or deflector that the laundry is returned to the receptacle 21st promotes or rejects or blocks. The receiving element 29 and / or the protruding element 33 can do the sealing ring 15th contact to minimize the space between the sealing ring 15th and the receiving element 29 allow.

In 4a Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a household appliance 1 for treating laundry with a receiving element 21st and a nozzle 35 shown.

The receiving element 29 is as already described above, via at least one connection unit 31 on the window element 10 attachable. Furthermore, the receiving element comprises 29 out 4a a fastener 37 and the nozzle 35 . The connecting element 37 extends from the receiving element 29 essentially in the direction of the at least one sealing opening 17th that are in the area of the top of the device 11 educated is. Furthermore is the connecting element 37 designed such that the connecting element 37 the seal opening 17th penetrates as shown. But it is also conceivable that the connecting element 37 at the at least one sealing opening 17th is applied. However, the connecting element must be guaranteed 37 is fluid with a fluid system 39 of the household appliance 1 connected so that fluid from the fluid system 39 via the connecting element 37 in the receiving element 29 can flow.

The nozzle 35 is on the receiving element 29 on one of the connecting element 37 formed substantially opposite side. Preferably the nozzle is 35 designed to be movable. In a further conceivable embodiment, which is an alternative to the movable nozzle, the nozzle 35 essentially immovable. The advantages and disadvantages of a movable or essentially immovable nozzle result from the respective application. The nozzle 35 is with the receiving element 29 and thus with the connecting element 37 fluidly connected. That about the nozzle 35 flowing fluid is in the receptacle 19th of the household appliance 1 released and can advantageously be added to the laundry to be treated.

With a moving nozzle 35 can have different setting angles of the nozzle 35 can be realized so that selectively, specifically different points in the receiving container 19th can be wetted. It is also conceivable that the nozzle changes the setting angle as a function of a set program.

The fluid system 39 of the household appliance 1 can via the detergent dispenser 5 of the household appliance 1 are conducted and / or include a pumping circuit. With a pumping circuit, the tub 19th Fluid removed and returned to the tub via a pump system 19th fed in. One can speak of a withdrawal and a new feed of the fluid. In the case of a new feed, the fluid is preferably fed in via the sealing openings 17th or via the connecting element 37 .

In 4b is one in the receiving element 29 internal channel 41 shown. The internal channel 41 is in 4b represented as a holistic element, whereby, as already described above, the nozzle 35 , the receiving element 29 and the connecting element 37 are fluidly connected to each other. The nozzle 35 , the receiving element 29 and the connecting element 37 are all independent components. But it is also conceivable that the nozzle 35 , the receiving element 29 and the connecting element 37 , as in 4b is shown, can be produced as a single component. It goes without saying that sealing elements are required for the respective transitions of the individual elements, if required, so that the fluid can easily be removed from the connecting element 37 in the receiving element 29 and the nozzle 35 can flow.

In 5 Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a household appliance 1 for treating laundry with a receiving element 29 and an additional element 43 shown.

The additional element 43 has a container 45 on, in which a laundry care substance can be included. A laundry care substance can include, for example, perfume, odor neutralizers, fabric softeners, anti-crease agents, intensive care agents, mild detergents and many more. A mixture of several different laundry care substances is also conceivable.

Furthermore is the additional element 43 if necessary on the receiving element 29 attachable and can also be easily removed from the receiving element 29 removed. The additional element 43 can for example use a connection similar to that of the connection unit 31 has been described above on the receiving element 29 attached.

The additional element 43 is such on the receiving element 29 attachable or such in the receiving element 29 integrable that the above the receiving element 29 remaining space that extends to the sealing ring 15th extends towards, is filled. This fulfills the additional element 43 in addition to absorbing the laundry care substance, it has the additional purpose of acting as a kind of deflector, in particular as a laundry blocker. By the arrangement of the additional element 43 on or in the receiving element 29 the laundry that gets into this area during the cleaning and / or drying process is gently placed in the receptacle 21st returned. In the 5 is the shape of the additional element 43 after attachment to the receiving element 29 , similar to the protruding element 33 that is in the 3b is shown executed.

The additional element is so that the laundry care substance can get into the cleaning and / or drying process 43 fluidly with the receiving element 29 and / or the internal channel 41 of the receiving element 29 connected. The laundry care substance can thus reach the nozzle 35 are conducted and in the receptacle 21st be distributed.

Furthermore, the receiving element 29 in 5 via the connecting element 37 with the Fluid system 39 of the household appliance 1 connected, as already described in more detail above.

List of reference symbols

1.

Home appliance

2.

casing

3.

Washing machine front wall

5.

Detergent bowl

7th

Washing machine display unit

8th.

opening

9.

Appliance door

10.

Window element

11.

Device top

13.

Housing bottom

14th

Opening edge

15th

Sealing ring

17th

Sealing opening

19th

Suds container

21st

Receiving container

23a.

upper area window element

23b.

upper area of sealing ring

25a.

lower area window element

25b.

lower area of sealing ring

27.

Slant

29

Receiving element

31.

Connection unit

33.

protruding element

35.

jet

37.

Connecting element

39.

Fluid system

41.

internal channel

43.

Additional element

45.

container

A.

Starting point

B.

End point

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant was 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.

Patent literature cited

• US 8485532 B2 [0004]
• DE 102012110179 A1 [0005]

Claims (9)

Household appliance (1) for treating laundry, comprising: a housing (2), with a housing top (11) and a housing bottom (13), a tub (19) arranged in the housing (2), a receiving container (21), which is arranged in the tub (19), an opening (8) which is formed on the housing (2) and through which the receiving container (21) can be loaded and unloaded, an appliance door (9) for closing the opening (8), wherein the appliance door (9) comprises a window element (10), a sealing ring (15) which is formed on the housing (2) and is arranged on an opening edge (14) essentially bordering, the appliance door (9) in a closed state on the Sealing ring (15) rests in a sealing manner and the sealing ring (15) has at least one sealing opening (17) through which fluids flow, characterized in that at least one receiving element (29) is arranged in the region of the window element (10), which has at least one Connection unit eit (31) can be releasably coupled to the window element (10). Household appliance (1) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the window element (10) has a partially funnel-shaped shape in the direction of the receptacle (21) and wherein the window element (10) has an upper region (23a) and the upper region (23a) of the window element (10) of the housing top (11) facing, wherein the receiving element (29) is arranged in the upper region (23a) of the window element (10). Household appliance (1) according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that an additional element (43) for introducing laundry treatment substances can be attached to the receiving element (29) and that the additional element 43 (14) is fluidically connected to the receiving element (29). Household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receiving element (29) has an internal channel (41) and at least one nozzle (35), the internal channel (41) for conveying a fluid and the nozzle (35) ) are suitable for distributing the fluid. Household appliance (1) according to Claim 4 , characterized in that the nozzle (35) is designed to be movable. Household appliance (1) according to Claim 4 , characterized in that the nozzle (35) is designed to be essentially immobile. Household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a connecting element (37) is formed on the receiving element (29), the connecting element (37) being arranged such that the fluid from the at least one sealing opening (17) to the receiving element (29) flows. Household appliance (1) according to Claim 7 , characterized in that the connecting element (37) is fluidically connected to a fluid system (39) of the household appliance (1). Household appliance (1) according to one of the Claims 7 or 8th , characterized in that the at least one sealing opening (17) is formed on the sealing ring (15) in the area of the upper side of the housing (11).

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