EP0546379B1 - Dispositif pour relier la cuve à la carrosserie d'une machine à laver ou similaire - Google Patents

Dispositif pour relier la cuve à la carrosserie d'une machine à laver ou similaire Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0546379B1
EP0546379B1 EP92120061A EP92120061A EP0546379B1 EP 0546379 B1 EP0546379 B1 EP 0546379B1 EP 92120061 A EP92120061 A EP 92120061A EP 92120061 A EP92120061 A EP 92120061A EP 0546379 B1 EP0546379 B1 EP 0546379B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
foot
sleeve
cabinet
base
washing machine
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP92120061A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0546379A1 (fr
Inventor
Cesare c/o Whirlpool Italy s.r.l. Gorini
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Whirlpool Europe BV
Original Assignee
Whirlpool Europe BV
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Whirlpool Europe BV filed Critical Whirlpool Europe BV
Publication of EP0546379A1 publication Critical patent/EP0546379A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0546379B1 publication Critical patent/EP0546379B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F37/00—Details specific to washing machines covered by groups D06F21/00 - D06F25/00
    • D06F37/20—Mountings, e.g. resilient mountings, for the rotary receptacle, motor, tub or casing; Preventing or damping vibrations
    • D06F37/22—Mountings, e.g. resilient mountings, for the rotary receptacle, motor, tub or casing; Preventing or damping vibrations in machines with a receptacle rotating or oscillating about a horizontal axis

Definitions

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • BE-A-650 246 discloses a device for fixing the tub-drum unit in which each suspension member is connected to a corresponding support foot so as to transfer directly to the floor the stresses generated by the tub-drum unit.
  • the support feet are made of rubber, which may create problems of cracking/tearing and assembling.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • the floating unit is supported by known 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 a support foot 12 for the washing machine to which the unit 1 pertains.
  • the tub 2 comprises lateral flanges 15 with which there are associated support elements 16 having a broken-line cross-section and comprising a flat body 17 from the ends of which there extend two parts 18, 19 perpendicular to said body and extending in opposite directions.
  • Each support element 16 is fixed to two suspension members 10, one at each end.
  • Each member 10 comprises a sleeve 20 within which there moves a piston 21 comprising a rod 22, on the threaded free end 23 of which there is screwed a usual nut 24.
  • the end 23 penetrates through a corresponding hole 25 in the relative support element 16.
  • the nut 24 cooperates with a metal washer or ring 27 acting on a first elastically deformable annular member 28, for example a rubber or similar member, resting on the body 17 of the element 16.
  • Said rod 22 has a collar 29 acting on a metal ring or washer 30 which cooperates with a second elastically deformable annular member 31, for example of rubber or the like, resting on said body. Said second member 31 lies below the first member 28.
  • the sleeve 20 terminates at the base 33 of the cabinet (not shown) of the washing machine to which the unit 1 pertains.
  • the sleeve comprises a collar 36 acting on two superposed elastically deformable members 37, 38 (for example of rubber or the like) of substantially cylindrical shape with respective axial cavities 37A and 38A.
  • the members 37 and 38 rest directly on the base 33 of the washing machine cabinet.
  • Said base comprises, coaxial with the cavities 37A, 38A of said members 37, 38, a through hole terminating at the face 41 of said base where the foot 12 is arranged.
  • the hole 40 comprises a substantially frusto-conical portion 43 opening at that face 44 of said base 33 opposite the face 41, and a cylindrical intermediate portion 45 opening into a hemispherical portion 46.
  • This latter partly houses a ball 47 associated with the sleeve 20 via a pin 48 inserted through the cavities 37A and 38A of the members 37 and 38 and through said hole 40.
  • the pin 48 is threaded at 50 at that end which cooperates with said ball 47. This latter is partly inserted into a hemispherical seat 51 in the foot 12 in front of the said portion 46 of the hole 40.
  • foot 12 comprises a lower part 55 of any non-slip material and is fixed to the base 33 of the washing machine cabinet by usual screws 58.
  • the unit 1 is subjected to movement and generates forces which are transferred via the flanges 15 to the damper members 20 and from these directly to the corresponding 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 its base 33.
  • 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.
  • the substantially oscillating movement of the unit 1 (and the forces deriving from it) is initially damped by the deformable members 28 and 31. This movement gives rise to movements of each member 20 in planes containing its longitudinal axis K.
  • Each suspension member 20 absorbs and damps in known manner the stresses and movements of the unit 1.
  • each member also moves within at least one plane containing its axis K.
  • This movement causes the pin 50 rigid with the sleeve 20 to move within the cavities 37A, 38A and the hole 40.
  • the movement of the member 10 therefore results in movement of the ball 47 rigid with said pin 50.
  • the ball 47 on the one hand allows non-rigid coupling between the member 10 and the relative foot, and on the other hand contributes to damping the forces transmitted by said member to the foot 12.
  • the foot 12 can be constructed of any known deformable material (such as rubber).
  • connection between each member 10 and the relative foot 12 is direct.
  • this connection is indirect and is obtained via a bar 70 connected to the ball 47 by a threaded pin 71 and hinged at 72 to the sleeve 20 of the corresponding member 10.
  • the hinge 72 can be in the form of an elastic joint or a ball joint 75 to which opposite ends 76 and 77 of respectively the bar 70 and the sleeve 20 are connected.
  • the bar also comprises a collar 79 acting on the members 37 and 38.
  • FIG. 4 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.
  • the sleeve 20, the pin 48 and the ball 47 are joined together in any known manner (for example by welding) or are constructed in one piece by casting or pressing.
  • the ball is forcibly inserted into the seat 51 of the foot 12, which snap-fits to the wall 123 of a hole 124 provided in the base 33 of the washing machine cabinet.
  • the foot 12 comprises a substantially frusto-conical upper part 125 slotted (at 126) in at least two opposing positions.
  • the slots 126 hence define two portions 125A and 125B of the part 125 which are elastically movable relative to each other.
  • the part 125 is separated from a first cylindrical part 128, arranged to cooperate with the face 41 of said base 33, by an annular recess 127. This latter is arranged to cooperate directly with the wall 123 of the hole 124; in this manner said parts 125 and 128, having their maximum diameter greater than that of the hole 124, act on the opposing faces 41 and 44 of the base 33 to snap-lock the foot (which is fitted to the washing machine cabinet by insertion into the hole 124 from the face 41 side).
  • the foot 12 also comprises a second surface-threaded cylindrical part 130 arranged to cooperate with an annular threaded member 131 carrying the lower part 55 of the foot 12. Cooperation between said part 130 and the member 131 enables the height of the foot 12 to be adjusted.
  • the hole 40 has a diameter which is constant but is considerably greater than the diameter of the pin 48.
  • the hole is formed in a single deformable element 200.
  • 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.
  • the device is of relatively simple construction and is reliable in use.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Main Body Construction Of Washing Machines And Laundry Dryers (AREA)
  • Vibration Dampers (AREA)
  • Vibration Prevention Devices (AREA)

Claims (14)

  1. Dispositif pour fixer l'ensemble flottant (1), c'est-à-dire l'ensemble cuve-tambour, à la caisse (33) d'une machine à laver ou d'une machine à laver séchante, ladite caisse reposant sur un sol (60) au moyen de pieds-supports (12),
       ledit dispositif comprenant plusieurs éléments de suspension (10), chacun comprenant un élément amortisseur et un élément élastique ou à ressorts, chaque élément de suspension (10) étant relié à un pied-support (12) correspondant disposé sur la base (33) de la caisse, de façon à transmettre directement au sol (60) les contraintes générées dans lesdits éléments (10) par l'ensemble flottant (1) pendant le fonctionnement de la machine à laver,
       caractérisé en ce qu'un élément d'accouplement (47) sous la forme d'un élément sphérique associé à l'élément de suspension est prévu entre ledit pied (12) et l'élément de suspension (10), l'élément d'accouplement (47) étant disposé dans un siège prévu dans le pied (12), ledit siège permettant à l'élément de suspension (10) de subir des mouvements par rapport au pied (12), le long d'un plan quelconque contenant son axe (K).
  2. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que l'élément d'accouplement est disposé dans deux sièges opposées (46, 51) prévus dans le pied (12) et sur une face (41) de la base (33) de la caisse où le pied (12) est disposé respectivement.
  3. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, dans lequel chaque élément de suspension (10) comprend un élément amortisseur et un élément élastique et comprend un manchon (20) à l'intérieur duquel se déplace un piston (21),
       caractérisé en ce que ledit piston comprend une tige (22) associée à un élément latéral (15) de support fixé à l'ensemble flottant (1), l'accouplement entre ladite tige et l'élément latéral correspondant (15) étant réalisé au moyen au moins d'un élément (28, 31) élastiquement déformable.
  4. Dispositif selon la revendication 3, caractérisé en ce que la tige (22) comprend une extrémité filetée (23) introduite à travers un trou (25) dans l'élément support (15) correspondant et coopérant avec un écrou (24) agissant, au moyen d'un élément annulaire, sur un élément cylindrique annulaire (28) définissant ledit élément déformable reposant sur l'élément support (15).
  5. Dispositif selon la revendication 3, caractérisé en ce que la tige (22) comprend un collier (29) coopérant, au moyen d'un élément annulaire, avec un élément cylindrique annulaire (31) définissant l'élément déformable et en contact avec l'élément support (15).
  6. Dispositif selon les revendications 2 et 3, caractérisé en ce que le manchon (20) de chaque élément de suspension (10) comprend, au niveau de son extrémité libre, un collier (36) coopérant avec au moins un élément amortisseur (37, 38) élastiquement déformable et de forme annulaire, positionné entre ledit manchon et la base (33) de la machine à laver ou d'une machine analogue, un axe (48) étant accouplé audit manchon (20), lequel axe étant fixé à l'élément sphérique (47) associé au pied-support (12).
  7. Dispositif selon la revendication 6, caractérisé en ce que l'axe (48) associé au manchon (20) traverse un trou (40) prévu dans la base (33) de la machine à laver ayant deux parties (43, 46) de forme différente, une de ces parties (43) étant tronconique et s'élargissant dans cette face (44) de ladite base (33) faisant face audit manchon (20), l'autre partie (46) étant de forme hémisphérique pour loger une partie de l'élément d'accouplement (47) et s'ouvrant dans cette face (41) de ladite base (33) avec laquelle le pied-support (12) est associé.
  8. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que le pied (12) est réalisé dans une matière élastiquement déformable, de préférence en caoutchouc.
  9. Dispositif selon les revendications 1 et 3, caractérisé en ce que l'élément de suspension (10) est relié à l'élément d'accouplement (47) au moyen d'une barre (70) associée au manchon (20) dudit élément (10), ce dernier pouvant subir au moins de faibles mouvements dans des plans contenant son axe (K) par rapport à la barre (70).
  10. Dispositif selon la revendication 9, caractérisé par le fait qu'il comprend un joint élastique reliant ensemble la barre (70) et le manchon (20) de l'élément de suspension (10).
  11. Dispositif selon la revendication 9, caractérisé par le fait qu'il comprend au moins un élément amortisseur annulaire (37, 38) élastiquement déformable placé entre la barre (70) et la base (33) da la machine à laver, ladite barre (70) étant dotée d'un axe (71) relié à l'élément d'accouplement (47) qui est contenu dans l'élément amortisseur annulaire (37, 38) et dans le trou (40) de ladite base (33).
  12. Dispositif selon les revendications 1 et 3, caractérisé en ce que le manchon (20) de l'élément de suspension (10) forme une seule pièce avec l'élément d'accouplement (47).
  13. Dispositif selon les revendications 1 et 3, caractérisé en ce que le manchon (20) de l'élément de suspension (10) est accouplé à un axe (48) associé de n'importe quelle façon connue à l'élément d'accouplement (47).
  14. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que le pied (12) est associé à la caisse de la machine à laver en s'adaptant de façon encliquetable.
EP92120061A 1991-12-09 1992-11-25 Dispositif pour relier la cuve à la carrosserie d'une machine à laver ou similaire Expired - Lifetime EP0546379B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ITMI911067U IT222078Z2 (it) 1991-12-09 1991-12-09 Dispositivo per il fissaggio del gruppo oscillante al mobile di una lavabiancheria lavasciugabiancheria o similare
ITMI911067U 1991-12-09

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0546379A1 EP0546379A1 (fr) 1993-06-16
EP0546379B1 true EP0546379B1 (fr) 1997-09-17

Family

ID=11359663

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP92120061A Expired - Lifetime EP0546379B1 (fr) 1991-12-09 1992-11-25 Dispositif pour relier la cuve à la carrosserie d'une machine à laver ou similaire

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0546379B1 (fr)
DE (1) DE69222271D1 (fr)
IT (1) IT222078Z2 (fr)

Families Citing this family (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2002103100A1 (fr) * 2001-06-15 2002-12-27 Seco Reinigungs- Und Umwelttechnische Anlagen Gmbh Dispositif de centrifugation, notamment pour l'essorage de textiles
US6983728B1 (en) 2004-08-02 2006-01-10 Cnh America Llc Skid steer loader including muffler support for engine
KR101369319B1 (ko) * 2007-06-11 2014-03-04 삼성전자주식회사 드럼세탁기
BE1017836A3 (nl) * 2007-11-05 2009-08-04 Hansen Transmissions Int Reactiearm voor een windturbineaandrijving.
FI20096109A (fi) * 2009-10-28 2011-04-29 Sandvik Mining & Constr Oy Menetelmä suojarakenteen liittämiseksi syöttöpalkkiin ja kaivostoimilaitteen suojarakenne
EP2726661B1 (fr) * 2011-06-29 2021-04-28 Fisher & Paykel Appliances Limited Unité de suspension et machine à laver le linge
AU2013204355B2 (en) 2012-12-21 2016-10-27 Fisher & Paykel Appliances Limited Improved laundry appliance

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
BE650246A (fr) * 1962-04-21 1964-11-03
DE2034848A1 (de) * 1970-07-07 1972-01-20 Siemens Elektrogeraete Gmbh Trommelwaschmaschine
FR2374457A1 (fr) * 1976-12-20 1978-07-13 Houdaille Lelaurain Sa Perfectionnements aux dispositifs dits de suspension et d'amortissements pour des machines a laver
DE8119603U1 (de) * 1981-07-04 1981-11-26 Fritz Bauer + Söhne oHG, 8503 Altdorf Federbein fuer eine trommelwaschmaschine
DE3237759A1 (de) * 1982-10-12 1984-04-12 Fritz Bauer + Söhne oHG, 8503 Altdorf Schwingungsfaehige abstuetzung fuer trommelwaschmaschinen

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE69222271D1 (de) 1997-10-23
ITMI911067U1 (it) 1993-06-09
IT222078Z2 (it) 1994-12-30
EP0546379A1 (fr) 1993-06-16
ITMI911067V0 (it) 1991-12-09

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