EP1643028A1 - Tub for a washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The outer tank (1) of the machine is moulded from a suitable plastic material with stiffening ribs (3) and reinforced rear wall (2) having the bearing housing (4) and electric motor mounting details (5) on the outer wall. Water leakage is deflected into safe areas by additional ribs (9,10,11).

Description

The invention relates to a tub for a washing machine in which a drum is rotatably arranged, wherein on the outer shell of the tub rib structures are formed.

From the prior art, tubs for washing machines are known, which are preferably made of non-metallic materials. Here, the tubs are molded from plastic, which are used as a molded part in the machine housing of the washing machine. The suds container housing is shaped such that corresponding to the cooperating with the container units can be integrated. Thus, the known tub is characterized in that it has in its axis of rotation a receiving opening for the drive shaft of a rotatably arranged in the container drum. Further, holders can be formed below the tub, which are intended in particular for receiving a motor, which usually drives the drum via a V-belt. Furthermore, the tub has a Laugenzulaufstutzen over which the wash liquor is supplied.

In order to give the tub at its back, on which the drum is rotatably mounted, the sufficient stiffening, the tub, as disclosed for example in DE 199 60 501 A1, has rib structures which lead to a stiffening in particular of the rear tank area , Such a tub is enclosed in a mantelbeschickbaren washing machine in a machine housing, wherein its removal opening is arranged at the top of the shell. Since the tub is opened in such an arrangement for insertion of laundry, a little splash or splash water between the housing and the tub outer wall can get at the throw of dripping wet laundry or water addition on the discharge opening. Due to the electrical safety to be complied with it is essential to prevent water and moisture from getting into electrical components.

In a front loadable washing machine, the removal opening is arranged on the front side of the tub, in which case the removal opening is sealed off from the machine housing via a bellows seal. Thus, in normal operation it can be assumed that the tub in the machine housing is protected against leakage water. With a leaky inlet hose above the tub, it is also possible for a front-loading washing machine that leakage water to the outside, especially in the jacket area, the tub passes. It is also important to avoid leakage water and moisture getting into electrical components.

Although according to the prior art, the molded rib structures are able to prevent this, but these are in need of improvement. Another known possibility is to protect the electrical components by means of housings or covers against ingress of water or moisture, which are quite expensive and impairs the heat dissipation unfavorable. In another known embodiment, an elastic bellows between the removal opening of the tub and the housing opening is arranged, which is intended to prevent ingress of water in this area. Since the removal opening in the jacket region has a rectangular shape, a reliable seal between the peripheral edge of the removal opening and the housing cover is not permanently guaranteed because of possible leakage in the bellows.

JP 02305596 A "Patent Abstracts of Japan" discloses a vat washing machine with a vertical axis of rotation. Here, the drive motor is arranged below the container bottom. In order to prevent condensate from running along the container wall to the container bottom and dripping onto the motor in this region, an outwardly directed collar-shaped rib is arranged on the container wall. However, this rib acts as a cover for the engine area. Splash water can easily get under this cover and then drip on the engine. Another disadvantage is that the water dripping from this cover hits the case bottom directly next to the engine and causes splashing directly next to the engine.

The invention thus raises the problem of developing a tub for a washing machine in such a way that is in particular a Träufelprüfung justice.

According to the invention this problem is solved with the features of claim 1, advantageous embodiments and modifications of the invention will become apparent from the following dependent claims.

According to the invention, it is proposed that in addition to the ribs formed for stiffening the molded housing, water drainage ribs are formed on the container housing, on the one hand protect the aggregates cooperating with the tub from leakage water and / or condensation and / or moisture, and on the other hand, the resulting leakage water and / or Collect and remove moisture in a targeted manner. For this purpose, ribs are formed in the upper region of the container housing, which cause a Vorkanalisierung the water or moisture, wherein in the lower region of the container housing circumferential ribs are formed, which collect the water controlled and selectively dissipate. There are in the molded rib defined drip points molded around. This design ensures that the water is drained away at precisely defined locations so that it passes either directly or indirectly into areas where the water causes no damage. In this way it can be avoided that a deflector rib is simply overflowed by a rush of water, so that it can reach directly into endangered areas.

By pre-channeling the water running along the outside of the housing, care is taken at an early stage to ensure that the water is kept far away from endangered areas. The new solution always drips water at precisely defined points. If a deflector rib is overflowed by a flood of water, it is drained away from an additional rib in areas that are particularly vulnerable, for example above the engine. The purpose of pre-channeling is primarily to keep water out of areas where it could drip uncontrollably from a great height and thus reach the endangered areas directly or indirectly by spraying back into it. In addition, larger amounts of water are split to avoid a later overflow of water drainage ribs. The pre-canalization ribs are tapered at the lower ends. This causes the water, which runs along the outer edge of the rib, to be returned to the tub. The circumferential rib then serves to keep the pre-channeled water, which runs along the outside of the tub, away from the lower portion of the tub to which the motor is mounted and to direct it to defined drip points. The drip points are chosen so that neither directly nor indirectly water can reach electrical contact areas. In the event that by overflowing a water drain rib, or undefined dripping or draining, water returns to the tub, a third redundant stage was installed. At these pointed converging ribs, the remaining water, which could not be prevented by the preceding measures defined dissipated.

Also, all integrally formed on the bottom bracket, tabs, etc. have tips on which water can drip defined. The angles of the tips are deliberately chosen so that water, which runs off in the direction of the extended edge, does not reach critical areas.

In this case, the defined Abtropfstellen are characterized in such an advantageous manner that they are V-shaped. In this case, according to a first embodiment, a drip-off nose can be formed underneath the V-shaped drip-off point, which ensures a defined dripping without the water running back in the direction of the container.

Another embodiment provides that the V-shape forming ribs are converged or shaped so that they give the resulting water a certain flow direction pretend. In this case, the design can be designed such that in the top of the V-shape, a recess which is open towards the front is embedded, wherein a downwardly pointing projection is formed on one of the two formed ribs. The water thus flows first into the lowest point of the V-shape, due to the recess, the water occupies a certain flow direction along the downwardly facing approach, which adjusts parallel at a distance from the container wall. In an expedient embodiment, the lower edge of the approach to a large radius, whereby the outflowing water no longer drips vertically downwards, but is deflected due to the adhesion forces to the side.

According to a particularly advantageous other embodiment of a defined Abtropfstelle, in the top of the V-shaped ribs extending a forwardly open notch is inserted, which also causes a determining flow direction. Here, the notch can be embedded in a molded below the line of intersection of the ribs approach.

Figur 1:

eine perspektivische Darstellung eines Laugenbehälters von der Rückseite;

Figur 2:

eine weitere perspektivische Darstellung des Laugenbehälters von der Frontseite her;

Figur 3:

eine Detailansicht einer definierten Abtropfstelle;

Figur 4:

eine weitere Ausführungsform gemäß der Figur 3;

Figur 5:

eine weitere Ausführungsform einer Abtropfstelle gemäß der Figur 3 und

Figur 6:

eine weitere Ausführungsform einer definierten Abtropfstelle gemäß der Figur 3.

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

FIG. 1:

a perspective view of a tub from the back;

FIG. 2:

a further perspective view of the tub from the front side;

FIG. 3:

a detailed view of a defined Abtropfstelle;

FIG. 4:

a further embodiment according to the figure 3;

FIG. 5:

a further embodiment of a Abtropfstelle according to the figure 3 and

FIG. 6:

a further embodiment of a defined Abtropfstelle according to the figure 3.

1 shows in perspective a tub 1 for a washing machine in which a drum is rotatably arranged. The tub 1 is preferably formed from plastic, wherein on the container outer wall 2 of the tub 1 rib structures 3 are formed. As can be seen from the rear view of the tub 1, run the rib structures 3 concentric to the bearing sleeve 4, through which the drive shaft, not shown for the rotatably arranged in the tub drum is mounted and stored. Below the tub 2 brackets 5 are provided, where, for example, a not-shown motor for driving the drum can be attached.

Down in the mantle area of the tub 1, an opening 6 is still provided, through which the liquor can be pumped.

2 shows in particular the tub 1 from the front, which is closed, wherein above the tub 1, a closure device 7 is provided, as is the case with top-loading washing machines. As can be seen from the combination of Figure 1 and Figure 2, in addition to the molded ribs for stiffening the molded housing 3 water drainage ribs 8 are formed on the container outer wall 2, on the one hand cooperating with the tub 1, not shown here aggregates against leakage water and / or protect moisture, and on the other hand collect the accumulated leakage water and / or moisture targeted and dissipate. For example, 2 ribs 9 are arranged in the upper region of the container outer wall, which cause a Vorkanalisierung the water. These ribs 9 are shaped in such a way that they taper pointedly or tapered on the outlet side, so that a targeted removal of this preconcentration takes place. For example, on the back, Figure 1, wing-shaped ribs 9 formed on both sides of the receiving sleeve 4 of the bearing, so that here the accumulating in the upper region leakage water is first intercepted, and the area below the receiving sleeve 4 remains free of water. In the figure 2, which shows in particular the front of the tub 1, also a wing-like arrangement of ribs 10 is shown, which at an angle from the center pointing also keep the area down.

As can also be seen from FIGS. 1 and 2, in the lower region of the container outer wall 2, axially extending ribs 11 encompassing the edge are formed, which collect the water in a controlled manner. Such a circumferential rib 11 can be seen in particular in Figure 1, wherein the rib shape extends on the back and on the lateral surface 12. At the front of Figure 2, a separate rib 13 is formed in the lower region, which in particular the accumulating water from the upper ribs 10 and selectively removes into the lower region of the tub 1. As can be seen from the figure 1, in particular from the perspective, 11 defined drip points 14 are formed in the circumferential rib, which cause a targeted discharge of the accumulating water. It goes without saying that combinations are also provided on the holders 5 for the engine, damper or damper-spring combinations, also additional Abtropfrippen 15 for particularly vulnerable areas on the container outer wall 2.

How in particular the defined trained Abtropfstelle 14 is, is shown in different embodiments in Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6. Thus, Figure 3 shows a defined Abtropfstelle 14, which is preferably V-shaped. It can be seen from the perspective view of Figure 3 that below the V-shaped Abtropfstelle 14 a drip-16 is formed. It goes without saying that when the leakage water is between the two legs of the V-shape, it collects in the deepest and tends to flow out of the V-shape. To a so-called backflow To avoid the container 17, the resulting water is drained via the Abtropfnase 16 parallel at a distance from the container wall 17 derived.

Another embodiment according to a defined Abtropfstelle 14 is also shown in Figure 4 in perspective, wherein the V-shape forming ribs 18 and 19 are converged or formed so that they include a recess 21 in the top of the V-shape , The recess 21, however, extends only in a partial region of the rib width in the region of the side remote from the container wall 17. On one of the two V-shaped converging ribs 18, 19, shown here by way of example on the rib 19, an approach is formed, which protrudes beyond the lowest point of the Abtropfstelle 14. As a result of the thus forming flow path is also achieved that a flow direction is achieved, which is parallel to a distance from the container wall 17. The flow behavior of the water is also favored by the fact that the recess 21 in the tip of the converging ribs 18, 19 ensures that the draining water is always directed away to one of the ribs pointing vertically downwards. Due to the large forces at the lower edge of the attachment, the water gets a stronger component of movement to the side due to the adhesion forces, pointing away from the lower edge parallel to the container wall 17, as indicated by the flow arrows.

Another variant of a defined Abtropfstelle 14 according to the invention show the figures 5 and 6, wherein the figure 5 represent a in the top of the V-shaped extending ribs 18, 19 to the front notch 20. This results in a flow direction of the resulting water due to the opening angle of the notch 20, which is groundbreaking of the container wall 17. In this case, the notch 20 is embedded in a below the section line of the ribs 18, 19 formed neck.

Due to the obliquely forward-facing notch, Figure 5, the running water gets a stronger component of movement forward. The inertia of the water then causes the water drips forward or expires. In addition, the tapered notch 20 separates the water further and further from the ribs 18, 19 as the contact surfaces become progressively smaller.

Due to the adhesion forces, water droplets in the front notch 20, FIG. 6, are initially held until subsequent water ensures that the drops drip off vertically downwards. The tendency of the water under the ribs 18, 19 to run back into the area to be protected is thus prevented.

Claims (11)

Lye container for a washing machine in which a drum is rotatably arranged, wherein on the container outer wall of the tub rib structures are formed,
characterized,
in that, in addition to the ribs (3) integrally formed to stiffen the molded housing, water drainage ribs (9, 10, 11) are formed on the container outer wall (2) which, on the one hand, protect the aggregates cooperating with the tub (1) from leakage water and / or moisture, and On the other hand collect the accumulating leakage water and / or moisture targeted and dissipate and that in the lower part of the container outer wall (2) circumferential ribs (11) are formed, which collect the water controlled, wherein in the circumferential rib (11) defined Abtropfstellen (14) formed are. Lye container according to claim 1,
characterized,
in that ribs (9), (10) are formed in the upper area of the container outer wall (2), which effect a precalculation of the water / moisture. Lye container according to claim 2;
characterized,
that additional Abtropreibippen (15) are provided for particularly vulnerable areas on the housing shell. Lye container according to claims 1 to 3,
characterized,
that the defined Abtropfstelle (14) is V-shaped. Lye container according to claim 4,
characterized,
that below the V-shaped Abtropfstelle (14) a drip-off (16) is formed. Lye container according to claim 4,
characterized,
that the V-shape forming ribs (18 and 19) are converged or shaped so that they give the resulting water a certain flow direction. Lye container according to claim 6,
characterized,
that in the top of the V-shaped extending ribs (18) and (19) a forwardly open recess (21) is embedded. Lye container according to claim 7,
characterized,
in that a downwardly pointing shoulder is formed on a rib (19) in the tip of the V-shaped ribs (18) and (19). Lye container according to claim 8,
characterized,
that at a rib (19) downwardly facing approach has a large radius at its lower edge. Lye container according to claim 6,
characterized,
that in the top of the V-shaped ribs (18) and (19) a notch (20) open towards the front is embedded. Lye container according to claim 10,
characterized,
in that the notch (20) is embedded in a shoulder formed below the line of intersection of the ribs (18, 19).

Images