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Device for fixing the floating unit to the cabinet of a washing machine, washing-drying machine or the like
EP0546379A1
European Patent Office
- Other languages
German French - Inventor
Cesare c/o Whirlpool Italy s.r.l. Gorini - Current Assignee
- Whirlpool Europe BV
Worldwide applications
Application EP92120061A events
1992-11-25
1993-06-16
1997-09-17
Application granted
1997-09-17
2012-11-25
Anticipated expiration
Status
Expired - Lifetime
Description
translated from
-
[0001] This invention relates to a device for fixing the floating unit, ie the tub-drum unit, to the cabinet of a washing machine, washing-drying machine or the like, said cabinet resting on a floor or the like via usual support feet, said device comprising a plurality of suspension members each comprising a damper element and an elastic or spring element. -
[0002] With particular reference to washing machines, a high level of vibration and noise is generated during their operation, in particular during spinning. This vibration and/or noise is due mainly to the transmission of forces generated by the floating unit during washing machine operation to the machine cabinet. Said forces are transmitted via suspension members associated with the floating unit of the washing machine and connecting this unit to the machine cabinet. -
[0003] In this respect, it is known to connect the top of said unit to the machine cabinet by two or four springs, the bottom being connected to the cabinet by dampers. -
[0004] In this manner the forces generated by the floating unit during machine operation (and in particular during each spinning stage) are transmitted to the cabinet sides and hence to its top and bottom and to the feet. This results in a high level of cabinet vibration and hence considerable noise during the use of the washing machine. -
[0005] Washing machines or the like are known in which the floating unit is supported by suspension members comprising elastic elements (or springs) and damper elements. -
[0006] These members, acting as "carrying legs" for the floating unit, rest on the base of the cabinet. During washing machine operation the legs can move in every plane of the space containing their axis, and are connected at their free end to the cabinet rather than directly to the feet of this latter. -
[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine of the stated type with its floating unit supported by suspension members of the aforesaid type in which vibration is reduced and the noise generated during machine operation is limited. -
[0008] A particular object of the invention is to provide a machine of the stated type in which the forces exerted by the floating unit on the washing machine cabinet during machine operation are minimal. -
[0009] A further object is to provide a washing machine or the like which is light, easily transported, and in which the cabinet performs a purely decorative function, allowing its structural characteristics to be reduced. -
[0010] A further object is to provide a machine of the stated type which is easier to assemble than known machines, can be more easily factory-tested than these latter, and is simpler to maintain that known machines. -
[0011] These and further objects which will be apparent to the expert of the art are attained by a machine of the aforesaid type, characterised in that at least one of the suspension members is connected to a corresponding support foot so as to transfer directly to the floor the stresses generated in said members by the floating unit during washing machine operation, at least one connection member being provided between said foot and the suspension member, and enabling this latter to undergo movements relative to the foot along any plane containing is axis. -
[0012] The present invention will be more apparent from the accompanying drawing, which is provided by way of non-limiting example and in which: - Figure 1 is an enlarged longitudinal section through the device according to the invention;
- Figure 2 is a partial schematic view of a washing machine floating unit supported by the device of the invention;
- Figure 3 is a modification of the device of Figure 1; and
- Figure 4 is a further modification of the device according to the invention.
-
[0013] With reference to Figures 1 and 2, the floating unit 1 of a washing machine comprises a tub 2 containing a drum (not visible in the figures) in any known manner. This latter is rotated within the tub via a pulley 4 by a usual electric motor 5 the operation of which is controlled by a usual timer (not shown). The motor 5 rotates a rotating member 7 (such as a drive pulley) which is connected to the pulley 4 by a usual belt 8. -
[0014] The floating unit is supported byknown suspension members 10 comprising an elastic element associated with a damper element (these not being shown separately). At least one of said members 10 (in fact all the members in the examples shown in the figures) is associated with asupport foot 12 for the washing machine to which the unit 1 pertains. -
[0015] The tub 2 compriseslateral flanges 15 with which there are associatedsupport elements 16 having a broken-line cross-section and comprising aflat body 17 from the ends of which there extend twoparts -
[0016] Eachsupport element 16 is fixed to twosuspension members 10, one at each end. -
[0017] -
[0018] -
[0019] Thenut 24 cooperates with a metal washer orring 27 acting on a first elastically deformableannular member 28, for example a rubber or similar member, resting on thebody 17 of theelement 16. -
[0020] Saidrod 22 has acollar 29 acting on a metal ring orwasher 30 which cooperates with a second elastically deformableannular member 31, for example of rubber or the like, resting on said body. Saidsecond member 31 lies below thefirst member 28. -
[0021] -
[0022] At saidbase 33 the sleeve comprises acollar 36 acting on two superposed elasticallydeformable members 37, 38 (for example of rubber or the like) of substantially cylindrical shape with respectiveaxial cavities -
[0023] -
[0024] -
[0025] Thehole 40 comprises a substantially frusto-conical portion 43 opening at thatface 44 ofsaid base 33 opposite theface 41, and a cylindricalintermediate portion 45 opening into ahemispherical portion 46. This latter partly houses aball 47 associated with thesleeve 20 via apin 48 inserted through thecavities members hole 40. Thepin 48 is threaded at 50 at that end which cooperates with saidball 47. This latter is partly inserted into ahemispherical seat 51 in thefoot 12 in front of the saidportion 46 of thehole 40. -
[0026] Finally thefoot 12 comprises alower part 55 of any non-slip material and is fixed to thebase 33 of the washing machine cabinet byusual screws 58. -
[0027] During the use of the washing machine the unit 1 is subjected to movement and generates forces which are transferred via theflanges 15 to thedamper members 20 and from these directly to thecorresponding feet 12. These forces are then discharged directly onto the floor 60 (or the like) on which the washing machine rests without them being converted into stresses generated by said unit 1 on the machine cabinet, and in particular on itsbase 33. This means that the cabinet can be designed very freely, without consideration for structural and mechanical requirements deriving from the need to support stresses generated on it by the floating unit 1, this consideration being however required in the case of washing machines or the like of the state of the art. -
[0028] In a washing machine provided with the device of the invention, the substantially oscillating movement of the unit 1 (and the forces deriving from it) is initially damped by thedeformable members member 20 in planes containing its longitudinal axis K. -
[0029] These movements are partly damped by thedeformable members base 33. -
[0030] Eachsuspension member 20 absorbs and damps in known manner the stresses and movements of the unit 1. -
[0031] As stated, each member also moves within at least one plane containing its axis K. This movement causes thepin 50 rigid with thesleeve 20 to move within thecavities hole 40. The movement of themember 10 therefore results in movement of theball 47 rigid with saidpin 50. Theball 47 on the one hand allows non-rigid coupling between themember 10 and the relative foot, and on the other hand contributes to damping the forces transmitted by said member to thefoot 12. To improve this damping, thefoot 12 can be constructed of any known deformable material (such as rubber). -
[0032] In Figures 1 and 2, connection between eachmember 10 and therelative foot 12 is direct. In a modified embodiment (shown in Figure 3 in which parts corresponding to those already described are indicated by the same reference numerals), this connection is indirect and is obtained via abar 70 connected to theball 47 by a threadedpin 71 and hinged at 72 to thesleeve 70 of thecorresponding member 10. Thehinge 72 can be in the for of an elastic joint or aball joint 75 to whichopposite ends bar 70 and thesleeve 20 are connected. The bar also comprises a collar 79 acting on themembers floor 60 via thefoot 12, the machine cabinet not being subjected to particular stressing as occurs with known washing machines. -
[0033] A further embodiment of the device of the invention is shown in Figure 4 in which parts corresponding to those of the already described figures are indicated by the same reference numerals. In this embodiment, thesleeve 20, thepin 48 and theball 47 are joined together in any known manner (for example by welding) or are constructed in one piece by casting or pressing. -
[0034] The ball is forcibly inserted into theseat 51 of thefoot 12, which snap-fits to thewall 123 of ahole 124 provided in thebase 33 of the washing machine cabinet. Thefoot 12 comprises a substantially frusto-conicalupper part 125 slotted (at 126) in at least two opposing positions. Theslots 126 hence define twoportions part 125 which are elastically movable relative to each other. -
[0035] Thepart 125 is separated from a firstcylindrical part 128, arranged to cooperate with theface 41 ofsaid base 33, by anannular recess 127. This latter is arranged to cooperate directly with thewall 123 of thehole 124; in this manner saidparts hole 124, act on theopposing faces base 33 to snap-lock the foot (which is fitted to the washing machine cabinet by insertion into thehole 124 from theface 41 side). -
[0036] Thefoot 12 also comprises a second surface- threadedcylindrical part 130 arranged to cooperate with an annular threadedmember 131 carrying thelower part 55 of thefoot 12. Cooperation between saidpart 130 and themember 131 enables the height of thefoot 12 to be adjusted. -
[0037] Finally, thehole 40 has a diameter which is constant but is considerably greater than the diameter of thepin 48. The hole is formed in a singledeformable element 200. -
[0038] The use of the device of Figure 4 is analogous to that described with regard to the preceding figures and will therefore not be repeated. -
[0039] A device of the described type therefore makes the cabinet of a washing machine or the like independent of mechanical or design requirements based on the stresses generated by the floating unit during the machine operation. -
[0040] The device is of relatively simple construction and is reliable in use. -
[0041] Two embodiments of the invention have been described. Further embodiments are however possible, and are to be considered as falling within the scope of the present document.
Claims (14)
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Claims (14)
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1. A device for fixing the floating unit, ie the tub-drum unit, to the cabinet of a washing machine, washing-drying machine or the like, said cabinet resting on a floor or the like via usual support feet, said device comprising a plurality of suspension members each comprising a damper element and an elastic or spring element, and characterised in that at least one of the suspension members (10) is connected to a corresponding support foot (12) so as to transfer directly to the floor (60) the stresses generated in said members (10) by the floating unit (1) during washing machine operation, at least one connection member (47) being provided between said foot (12) and the suspension member (10) and enabling this latter to undergo movements relative to the foot (12) along any plane containing is axis (K).
2. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the connection member is a spherical element (47) associated with the suspension member (10) and arranged in opposing seats (46, 51) provided in the base (33) of the washing machine or the like with which the support feet (12) are associated.
3. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein each suspension member (10) comprises a damper element and an elastic element and incorporates a sleeve (20) within which a piston (21) moves, characterised in that said piston comprises a rod (22) associated with a lateral support element (15) fixed to the floating unit 1, the connection between said rod and the corresponding lateral element (15) being made via at least one elastically deformable element (28, 31).
4. A device as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that the rod (22) comprises a threaded end (23) inserted through a hole (25) in the corresponding support element (15) and cooperating with a nut (24) acting, via an annular element, on an annular cylindrical member (28) defining said deformable element resting on the support element (15).
5. A device as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that the rod (22) comprises a collar (29) cooperating via an annular element with an annular cylindrical member (31) defining the deformable element and in contact with the support element (15).
6. A device as claimed in claims 2 and 3, characterised in that the sleeve (20) of each suspension member (10) comprises at its free end a collar (36) cooperating with at least one elastically deformable damper member (37, 38) of annular shape positioned between said sleeve and the base (33) of the washing machine or the like, to said sleeve (20) there being connected a pin (48) fixed to the spherical element (47) associated with the support foot (12).
7. A device as claimed in claim 6, characterised in that the pin (48) associated with the sleeve (20) penetrates through a hole (40) in the washing machine base (33) having two portions (43, 46) of different shape, one of these portions (43) being frusto-conical and widening into that face (44) of said base (33) facing said sleeve (20), the other portion (46) being of hemispherical shape to house part of the connection member (47) and opening into that face (41) of said base (33) with which the support foot (12) is associated.
8. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the foot (12) is constructed of elastically deformable material, preferably rubber.
9. A device as claimed in claims 1 and 3, characterised in that the suspension member (10) is connected to the connection member (47) via a bar (70) associated with the sleeve (20) of said member (10), this latter being able to undergo at least small movements in planes containing its axis (K) relative to the bar (70).
10. A device as claimed in claim 9, characterised by comprising an elastic joint joining together the bar (70) and the sleeve (20) of the suspension member (10).
11. A device as claimed in claim 9, characterised by comprising at least one elastically deformable annular damper member (37, 38) between the bar (70) and the washing machine base (33), said bar (70) being provided with a pin (71) connected to the connection member (47) which is contained in the annular damper member (37, 38) and in the hole (40) in said base (33).
13. A device as claimed in claims 1 and 3, characterised in that the sleeve (20) of the suspension member (10) is formed in one piece with the connection member (47).
14. A device as claimed in claims 1 and 3, characterised in that the sleeve (20) of the suspension member (10) is connected to a pin (48) associated in any known manner with the connection member (47).
15. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the foot (12) is associated with the washing machine cabinet by snap-fitting.