EP0371926A1

EP0371926A1 - Method for assembling and making a basin assembly for washing machines and basin assembly made thereby

Info

Publication number: EP0371926A1
Application number: EP89830436A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Niso Fumagalli
Original assignee: INDUSTRIE CANDY SpA
Current assignee: INDUSTRIE CANDY SpA
Priority date: 1988-11-30
Filing date: 1989-10-13
Publication date: 1990-06-06
Anticipated expiration: 2009-10-13
Also published as: DE68920555T2; EP0371926B1; IT1227642B; IT8822794A0; DE68920555D1

Abstract

There is disclosed a method for assembling and making a basin assembly for washing machines, which has been specifically designed for reducing the component elements of said assembly.

More specifically, the assembling and making method provides that the componente elements of the basin assembly are mutually coupled by seaming and riveting operations.

The mentioned component elements, in particular, substantially comprise a tubular element (1) to which there are affixed a rear wall (2) as well as a rear flange (8) and a front flange (3).

With these flanges coupling top and bottom elements (10, 11) and a closure ring element (14) cooperate.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method for assembling and making a basin assembly for washing machines,and also relates to the basin assembly made thereby.
As is known, washing machines usually comprise a basin assembly for holding washing water and supporting the rotary basket, which is substantially made by coupling its component elements by using screws or bolts.
This making method, as it should apparent, requires comparatively long operating times and in addition to greatly increasing the cost of the finished product, is susceptible to provide scarcely reliable washing machines. That same method moreover, requires that a plurality of fitting and coupling additional elements be used, in order to connect the several operating elements (such as bearing springs, motor and the like) to the thus assembled basin.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the aim of the present invention is to overcome the above mentioned drawbacks, by providing a basin assembly, for washing machines, which comprises a very reduced number of multi-func tional component elements.
Within the scope of the above mentioned aim, a main object of the present invention is to provide such a basin assembly for washing machines, the component elements of which can be easily and quickly assembled.
Another object of the present invention is to provide such a basin assembling method which affords the possibility of mutually coupling the several basin component elements without using self-screwing bolts or screws.
According to one aspect of the present invention, the above mentioned aim and objects, as well as yet other objects, which will become more apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a method for assembling and making a basin assembly, for washing machines, characterized in that said method provides that the component elements of said basin assembly are mutually coupled by seaming and riveting operations, said component elements substantially comprising a tubular element, to which there are affixed a rear wall, as well as a rear flange and front flange, therewith coupling or casing top and bottom elements and a closure ring element cooperate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further characteristics and advantages of the method for making a basin assembly according to the present invention will become more apparent hereinafter from the following detailed description of some preferred embodiments thereof which are illustrated, by way of a merely indicative example, in the figures of the accompanying drawings, where:

Figure 1 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view illustrating the basin assembly according to the invention;
Figure 2 is a detail view clearly showing a preferred procedure for coupling the top portions of rear and front flange members by means of a related coupling element or casing;
Figure 3 shows another possible coupling procedure for coupling the above mentioned component elements;
and
Figure 4 illustrates, in a disassembled condition, a closure ring member, a rear flange member and two coupling top and bottom elements respectively.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings, the method for assembling a basin assembly or unit, for washing machines, according to the invention, provides that the tubular element 1 and rear wall 2 jointly forming, together with an annular element or front flange 3, the basin for the washing water, which basin has been generally indicated at the reference number 4, are mutually coupled by seaming, at 5, their corresponding perimetrical portions.
The above mentioned rear wall is moreover provided, as shown, with a perimetrical recess, therein there is housed a peripheral portion 7, of like shape, of a rear flange 8 including bearing members for supporting the shaft of a rotary basket 9. The rear flange is perimetrically restrained by a pair of coupling elements, that is a top coupling element 10 and a bottom coupling element 11 which encompass the corresponding end portions of said flange.
On the front of said coupling elements and tubular element 1 there is affixed, through the interposition of an O-ring gasket 12, the mentioned front flange 3, of annular shape, which defines the front loading opening 13 of the washing machine.
The above mentioned coupled elements, in particular, are tightly locked to one another by a suitable closure ring member 14.
In this connection it should be moreover be pointed out that the rear flange 8 is coupled to said coupling elements 10 and 11 by means of a plurality of rivets 15 which are applied at an end portion of said flange (figure 2) or at corresponding end portions of said coupling elements (figure 3) which, in this case, are suitably extended on the flat surface of said flange.
The disclosed coupling elements, in particular, are so designed and arranged as to support corresponding weight members 16 which operate to properly balance and weigh the basin assembly.
This weight members preferably consist of a sheet metal plate embedded in a concrete block and provided with suitable projecting perimetrical lugs for anchoring the plate to the corresponding coupling elements.
The top coupling element 10, moreover, is so designed as to restrain bearing spring members 17 and, as it is used in drying-washing machines, it will be also provided with an attachment or fitting for the heating and fan assembly (without the need of using bracket members).
The bottom coupling element 11, in turn, is so designed and arranged as to support, without the use of bracket members, the electrical motor 18, the bottom balancing weight 16 and the plates of the dampeners.
The disclosed coupling elements, in particular, operate to structurally bind the rear flange, basin and front flange by means of the closure ring member 14 thereby providing an integral and very rigid and strong unit.
While the invention has been disclosed and illustrated with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it should be apparent that the disclosed embodiments are susceptible to many modifications and variations all of which will come within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for making and assembling a basin assembly for washing machines, characterized in that said method provides that the component elements of said basin assembly are mutually coupled by seaming and riveting operations; said component elements comprising, substantially, a tubular element (to which there is affixed a rear wall), as well as a rear flange and a front flange, therewith a top and bottom coupling elements, as well as a closure ring member cooperate.

2. A method for making and assembling a basin assembly, according to claim 1, characterized in that said method provides that said tubular element and rear wall forming, together with an annular element, or front flange, said basin, are mutually coupled by seaming corresponding perimetrical portions thereof.

3. A method for making and assembling a basin assembly, according to the preceding claims, characterized in that said method provides that said rear wall comprises a perimetrical recess, thereat there is housed a peripheral portion, of mating shape, of said rear flange, which is provided with bearing members for supporting the shaft of the rotary basket of the machine, said rear flange being perimetrically restrained by a pair of top and bottom coupling elements, encompassing corresponding end portions of said flange.

4. A method for making and assembling a basin assembly, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said method provides that on the front portion of said coupling elements and tubular element there is coupled, through the interposition of a O-ring gasket, an annular element, or front flange, defining the front loading opening of said washing machine, said coupled elements, in particular, being tightly locked to one another by a suitable closure ring member.

5. A method for making and assembling a basin assembly, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said rear flange is coupled to said coupling elements by means of a plurality of rivets applied at the end portions of said flange or at the end portions of said coupling elements which, in this case, are suitably extended on the flat surface of said surface.

6. A basin assembly, made by a method according to any preceding claims, characterized in that said coupling elements are so designed and arranged as to support corresponding weight member which operate to balance and weigh said basin assembly, said weight member comprising, at least preferably, a sheet metal plate embedded in a concrete block and provided with suitable projecting perimetrical lugs to anchor said block to corresponding coupling elements.

7. A basin assembly, according to claim 6, characterized in that said top coupling element is so designed and arranged as to restrain spring members bearing a top weight member and, as said basin assembly is used in drying-washing machines, it further comprises a fitting for the heating duct and fan assembly, the bottom coupling element being in turn so arranged and designed as to support the washing machine operating electric motor, a bottom weight member and the plates of damping members.