EP0718431B1 - Drum washing machine of the top-loading type - Google Patents

Abstract

A top loading drum washing machine, dryer etc. has a housing, which is closed on its top side by means for a lid (6). The lid (6) is mounted rotatingly in its rear section. A cylindrical drum rotates round a horizontal axis which is parallel to the front side. The housing lid (6) consists of at least one horizontal subsection and a subsection that descends diagonally to the front side.

Description

The invention relates to a coat-loading laundry treatment machine, for. Legs Washer, dryer or washer dryer, with a housing attached to it its top by a housing cover rotatably mounted in its rear area is closable, and with a cylindrical drum, which is horizontal, to the front parallel axis is rotatably supported, with a substantially in the shell of the drum rectangular drum opening is arranged and wherein the housing cover at least from there is a horizontal section and a section sloping towards the front.

Laundry treatment machines of this type are known for example from DE 37 38 613 Al. They are called "top loaders". In such laundry treatment machines in contrast to front loaders the disadvantage that the user has to take out the laundry must reach into the drum from above. As a result, he takes an unfavorable position, what Difficulty removing laundry from the lower area for small people the drum can lead. In addition, the user will only have limited access to the Drum granted.

EP-A-0 604 260 shows a top loading lid with an inclined section, this is however, only a few centimeters wide and only serves decorative purposes. In addition owns there is no control panel.

From FR-A-2 570 396 an arrangement of the control panel on the lid is known. Here however, the control panel is in the vertical section and is therefore for the user difficult to see. In addition, the lid is arranged around one on the front Hinge pivoted so that in the open position, firstly, the controls on the Come to the front of the system and scratch it or damage it yourself, secondly, the protruding portion of the lid hinders the user from filling the laundry.

The invention thus presents the problem of a laundry treatment machine with an improved one Operating possibility to reveal.

According to the invention, this problem is solved by the one specified in claim 1 Features resolved. Advantageous refinements and developments of the invention result arising from the following subclaims.

Figur 1

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines erfindungsgemäß aufgebauten Topladers;

Figur 2

Die Seitenansicht des Topladers gemäß Figur 1 bei entfernten linken Gehäuseteilen;

Figur 3

einen Querschnitt durch den Toplader in Explosionsdarstellung bei geöffnetem Gehäusedeckel (6) und unter Weglassung der Antriebs- und Entleerungsvorrichtung;

Figur 4

die Draufsicht auf den Toplader gemäß Figur 1 bei entferntem Gehäusedeckel;

Figur 5

einen Querschnitt durch den Gehäusedeckel eines Topladers gemäß Figur 1;

Figur 6, 7

eine Gegenüberstellung der einsehbaren Trommelmantelfläche (22) und der Wäscheentnahme bei einem herkömmlichen Toplader und bei einem erfindungsgemäß aufgebauten Toplader anhand von Schemaskizzen.

An embodiment of the invention is shown purely schematically in the drawings and is described in more detail below. Show it:

Figure 1

a perspective view of a top loader constructed according to the invention;

Figure 2

The side view of the top loader according to Figure 1 with the left housing parts removed;

Figure 3

a cross-section through the top loader in an exploded view with the housing cover (6) open and with the omission of the drive and emptying device;

Figure 4

the top view of the top loader according to Figure 1 with the housing cover removed;

Figure 5

a cross section through the housing cover of a top loader according to Figure 1;

Figure 6, 7

a comparison of the visible drum surface (22) and the laundry removal in a conventional top loader and in a top loader constructed according to the invention using schematic diagrams.

The housing of the top loader shown in Figure 1 is constructed in the resolved design. It has a bottom part (1), a rear wall (2), a front wall (3) and side walls (4). The top of the housing is covered by a cover strip (5) and a housing cover (6) closed.

The bottom part (1) is designed as a stamped and bent part in the form of a closed trough (see Figure 2). It has bends in both the front and rear areas generated base recesses (7; 8). To cover the front socket recess (7) an oblique plinth (9) is used, which is inserted into the angle of the bend. It is screwed to the housing and covers the lower fastening points (10) Side walls (4) (see Figure 3). Bottom part (1) and rear wall (2) cannot be detached by pushing through connected to each other, the front wall (3) is detachable by screws (12) on the bottom part (1) attached. To stabilize the housing are between the front wall (3) and the Rear wall (2) connecting strips (13) arranged, in turn rear wall (2) and connecting strips (13) are inextricably linked by enforcement points.

The front wall (3) is on the front side with the fold (7) of the bottom part (1) above the Base recess and laterally connected with molded gusset plates (14) by screws. In the upper area, the front wall (3) is screwed to the connecting strips (13). In this way, the bottom part (1), the front (3) and rear wall (2) and Connection strips (13) a load-bearing framework.

The vibrating unit and other components of the top loader are arranged in it. As vibrating unit is the unit tub (15) - drum (16) and coupled Components for water supply, for driving the drum (16) and for oscillating storage of the tub (15). The tub (15) is on Fedem (not shown) suspended on the front and rear wall (2) and against via friction dampers (17) the bottom part (1) is supported. The axis (18) of the tub (15) is opposite the axis of conventional household top loaders while maintaining the usual tub diameter raised by 28 mm.

A drum (16) for holding laundry is rotatably mounted in the tub (15). It is driven by a motor (19) via a drum belt (not shown) and a pulley (20) driven. In the 9 o'clock position there is one on the tub (15) Positioning device (21) that the drum (16) in the loading position at the end of the program brings. The positioning device (21) is known for example from DE 34 31 807 A1 and therefore not described in detail here.

Figure 3 shows, among other things, the tub (15) of the top loader according to the invention. This has an essentially rectangular shape in the upper area of its lateral surface (23) Suds container opening (24). This is inclined by δ = 20 ° from the horizontal to the. The edges running parallel to the drum axis (25) form an opening angle with it β of 74 °. A drum opening (26) is arranged in the lateral surface (22) of the drum (16), which corresponds to the dimensions of the tub opening. In the loading position are both openings (24, 26) congruent one above the other and form the removal opening of the top loader.

• Anhebung der Laugenbehälter- bzw. Trommelachse (25)
• Neigung der Laugenbehälteröffnung (24) und
• Vergrößerung des Öffnungswinkels β der Entnahmeöffnung

bieten dem Benutzer eine Erleichterung bei der Entnahme der Wäsche aus der Trommel. Insbesondere jedoch die Kombination dieser Merkmale führt dazu, daß gegenüber herkömmlichen Topladem eine vergrößerte einsehbare Mantelfläche (22) angeboten wird (s. Figur 6) und die Haltung des Benutzers beim Entleeren der Trommel ergonomisch optimiert wird (s. Figur 7).Each of the three constructive measures

• Raising the tub or drum axis (25)
• Inclination of the tub opening (24) and
• Increasing the opening angle β of the removal opening

make it easier for the user to remove laundry from the drum. In particular, however, the combination of these features leads to the fact that, compared to conventional top loaders, an enlarged, visible lateral surface (22) is offered (see FIG. 6) and the posture of the user when the drum is emptied is ergonomically optimized (see FIG. 7).

• Träger für eine erste Dichtung (29a) zwischen Abdeckung (28) und Laugenbehälterdeckel (30)
• Träger für eine zweite Dichtung (29b) zwischen Abdeckung (28) und Mantelfläche (23) des Laugenbehälters um die Laugenbehälteröffnung (24)
• Die Anlegekanten für die geöffneten Trommelklappen (31)
• Im hinteren Bereich Träger für die Scharnierung des Laugenbehälterdeckels (30)
• Im vorderen Bereich Träger der Verriegelung des Laugenbehälterdeckels (30).

The top of the housing consists of a housing cover (6) and a cover strip (5). The cover strip (5) is flush with the upper edge of the housing cover (6). It is screwed to the rear wall (2) in the rear area and protrudes laterally over the housing to cover the housing corners. When the housing cover (6) is open, the area between the upper peripheral edge of the housing and the edge of the tub opening is covered by a cover frame (27). The cover frame (27) is screwed to the side with the connecting strips (13) and from to the front wall (3) and hooked to the cover strip (5) in the rear area. The visible closure of the tub opening (24) is produced by a cover (28) which performs the following functions:

• Carrier for a first seal (29a) between cover (28) and tub lid (30)
• Carrier for a second seal (29b) between cover (28) and outer surface (23) of the tub around the tub opening (24)
• The contact edges for the opened drum flaps (31)
• In the rear area support for the hinge of the tub lid (30)
• In the front area support for the locking of the tub lid (30).

The seals (29a, b) can be separately in the recesses of the cover. be inserted or be molded in one piece in a two-component injection molding process.

The inclination of the tub opening (24) and the increase in the opening angle (β) the removal opening without realizing space problems is the housing cover (6) angled It consists of a horizontal and an oblique section (32; 33) and is rotatably mounted in the rear area of the housing. The length of the sloping section (33) makes up about 55% of the length of the horizontal section (32), the two partial areas (32; 33) enclose an angle α of 142 °. The final one Transition to the front wall (3) forms a vertical section (34). From the above Shape of the housing cover (6) results in an increase in the free area of the tub container (23), which in turn offers the possibility of opening the tub (24) to enlarge.

A hinge strip is provided to accommodate the lid hinges (35) Connection strips (13) of the housing is screwed. The housing cover (6) carries a hinge (35) on the left and right, which is attached to the hinge strip by means of screws (36) are attached. The lid hinge (35) plunge through the cover frame (27) the inside of the device. When closed, the housing cover (6) lies horizontally to the housing so that the edges of the housing cover (6) and the housing parallel are. A damping device is located between the connecting strips (13) and the housing cover (6) arranged in the form of gas shock absorbers (37). These cause a delay of the closing process in the last third of the closing movement. The damping of the Closing movement depending on the force applied to the housing cover (6) is, so that slamming of the housing cover (6) is prevented. In addition, the Damping the gas shock absorber (37) designed such that the housing cover remains (6) in the range between 15 ° and 50 ° to the horizontal is not possible. This will ensures that the sloping section is not in a horizontal or only slightly after remains in the inclined position. This is for a sufficient discharge of spray water important, the means required for this are described below.

Figure 4 shows the housing cover (6) as a single part in a cross section through its side view. It consists of an inner cover part (38) and an outer cover part (39) which can be connected to form a cavity. The one-piece outer cover (39) acts as a horizontal cover frame (40) and as an oblique Switch cover lower part (41). In the cover frame (40) is the cover that is visible from the outside, for example, a laminated sheet inserted. The switch cover lower part (41) serves as Carrier for the switch panel (42) and for a holder (43) for receiving selection elements (44) and control elements (45). The angle of inclination of the switch panel (42) is 38 ° (= 180 ° - α) for horizontal usability. Through integration the switch panel (42) in the housing cover (6) is an additional enlargement of the free surface of the tub container (23) reached.

Downward, the space for receiving the holder (43) through the inner cover part (38) completed. There is a splash water drainage channel for the discharge of splash water, Water barriers and drain holes (not shown) are arranged. In the horizontal section (32) are formed by the cavity (46) formed by the outer and inner lid parts (38; 39) two sub-harnesses (not shown) performed the connection from the controller (45) of the Devices for the power section, the level switch and the mains voltage supply (not shown), separated by mains and extra-low voltage. The transition between Housing cover (6) and housing form a cable duct (49) on the right cover hinge (35) is arranged and its shape is adapted.

In the event of damage, if electrical parts in the switch panel area have to be replaced, then first remove the switch panel (42). The mounting screws of the bracket (43) for Electrical parts are then accessible. This bracket (43) is in corresponding service slots of the switch cover lower part (41) snapped into place. The electrical parts are then easily closed check and replace if necessary.

Due to the arrangement of the cover frame, it is also wide with narrow top loaders of 45 cm possible, a detergent dispenser drawer (47) with a detergent drawer (48) to provide. It is placed on the left side of the top loader and on the housing and the cover frame (27) attached. Take detergent dispenser in the front area (47), detergent dispenser drawer (48) and cover frame (27) the slope of the Switch cover (42) or the housing cover (6).

Claims (8)

1. Top-loadable laundry treating machine, e.g. washing machine, drier or washer-drier, having a housing which is closable at its upper side by a housing cover (6) rotatably mounted at its rear region, and a cylindrical drum (16), which is mounted to be rotatable about a horizontal axis parallel to the front side, a substantially rectangular drum opening (26) being disposed in the casing (22) of the drum (16), and the housing cover (6) comprising at least one horizontal part and a part sloping to the front side, characterised in that the length of the inclined part is at least 40% of the length of the horizontal part, and in that the angle α formed between the horizontal part and the inclined part is between 120° and 150°, and in that a control panel (42), provided with control members for selecting a laundry treatment program, is disposed in the inclined part.
2. Top-loadable laundry treating machine according to claim 1, characterised in that the edges of the drum opening (26) extending in the axial direction form an angle of opening (β) of at least 70° with the axis.
3. Top-loadable laundry treating machine according to one of claims 1 or 2, having an apparatus for stopping the drum (16) in the loading position, characterised in that the median perpendicular of the angle of opening is inclined relative to the front side when the drum (16) is situated in the loading position.
4. Top-loadable laundry treating machine according to one or more of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the housing cover (6) is configured as a hollow body, at least in partial regions, and accommodates a program control means.
5. Top-loadable laundry treating machine according to one or more of claims 1 to 4, characterised by a damping means (37), which is disposed within the range of rotation of the housing cover (6) and effects a damping of the cover movement in dependence on the force acting on the housing cover (6),
6. Top-loadable laundry treating machine according to claim 5, characterised in that the damping means (37) is inoperative in a partial portion of the cover movement.
7. Top-loadable washing machine according to one or more of claims 1 to 6, having a washing liquid container (15), which surrounds the drum (16) and has a washing liquid container opening (24) corresponding with the drum opening (26), characterised by a cover frame (27), which forms a transition between the edges of the washing liquid container opening (24) and the upper edges of the housing.
8. Top-loadable washing machine according to claim 7, having a detergent dispensing means (47; 48) disposed in the upper region of the housing, characterised in that an opening for accommodating a detergent dispenser (47) is disposed in the cover frame (27).

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