EP1704274A1

EP1704274A1 - A drum with stiffening corrugations along the seam

Info

Publication number: EP1704274A1
Application number: EP04799179A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Sabih Arcelik Anonim Sirketi HIZAL; Adnan Arcelik Anonim Sirketi EFEOGLU; Ibrahim Arcelik Anonim Sirketi YILDIRIM; Mukremin Arcelik Anonim Sirketi GURBUZ; Hakan Arcelik Anonim Sirketi TURAN; Alper Arcelik Anonim Sirketi AYDINAY
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2003-11-20
Filing date: 2004-11-17
Publication date: 2006-09-27
Also published as: WO2005049909A1; TR200602291T1

Abstract

This invention relates to a drum to be used in washers/dryers, capable of performing under heavy work conditions, with a joint form that would preclude any harm to the loaded items.The loaded items. The drum comprises a body (10) made of a sheet strip, a front lid (11), attached to the body and forming its loading opening, a back lid (12) confining the body, a seam (5) formed by the hemming together of either the two edges of the sheet strip forming the body (10), or the touching edges of the body sheet and the front lid (11), one or more stiffening corrugation (4) formed by a cold pressing process along the seam (5), with the proviso that the angle (G) between the seam dent axis (J) and the seam axis (L) is different from 90° and 180° so as to preclude the possible effects of dynamic forces, tensions and torques acting in various directions.

Description

Description A DRUM WITH STIFFENING CORRUGATIONS ALONG THE SEAM

[001] This invention relates to a drum to be used in washers/dryers.

[002] In the current state of the technique washers/dryers include a drum wherein items to be washed/dried are placed. Metallic drums consist of a -preferably- rolled metal sheet strip, with edges joined together so as to acquire a cylindrical shape, a front lid and a back lid. When the fastening is carried out through a thermal process, the inner structure of the metal may undergo changes leading to an increased vulnerability to corrosion. It is therefore preferable that the fastening of the edges of the metal sheet strip be realized by cold processes. The main concern in cold fastening processes is to ensure that no shearing occurs along the joining line during the operation of the device, as high loads are exerted on the drum.

[003] A known application of the technique is described in the German document DE1871983U whereby a metallic sheet strip is given a cylindrical shape by hemming and clasping together its two edges, which then undergo cold pressing.

[004] In another known application of the technique, as described in the German Patent Document DEI 099946, a cylindrical form is achieved by clinching several layers together.

[005] Another known application is described in the German Patent Document DE4445731 as a 'scarf connection' where the joint seam contains several squeezing forms.

[006] In a further known application of the technique the German Patent Document DEI 9821366 provides a description of a fastening process where the seam course is formed by embossing on both sides, with alternating inwards- and outwards directed projections.

[007] In yet another known application of the technique, the European Patent EP00395859 describes a cylindrical form achieved by joining the seamed edges of a metal sheet strip, then subjected to pressing.

[008] The object of this invention is to realize a drum, which is utilized in washers/dryers, capable of withstanding heavy working conditions, with a seam unlikely to cause harm to the items loaded for washing/drying.

[009] The drum designed to fulfill the above mentioned object is illustrated on the attached figures numbered as follows:

[010] Fig.1 - Perspective view of a washer/dryer;

[011] Fig.2 - Perspective view of a cylindrical-shaped drum sheet strip;

[012] Fig.3 - Schematic frontal view of a cylindrical-shaped body;

[013] Fig.4 - Schematic view of the body/front lid/back lid combination;

[014] Fig.5 - Schematic view of a joining of a drum body exhibiting several stiffening corrugations placed at equal intervals, with parallel axes; [015] Fig.6 - View along the SS section of a joining form of the drum sheet metal;

[016] Fig.7 - View along the PP section of a j oining form of the drum sheet metal;

[017] Fig.8 - Schematic view of the joining form of a body having several stiffening corrugations placed at various angles and various intervals

[018] Fig.9- Schematic view of the joining form of front lid and a body having several stiffening corrugations placed at various angles and various..

[019] Parts shown on Figures are numbered as follows:

[020] 1 - Washer/Dryer;

[021] 2 - Drum;

[022]

[023] 4 - Stiffening corrugation;

[024] 5 - Seam;

[025] 6 - Depression base;

[026]

[027] 10 - Body;

[028] 11 - Front Lid;

[029] 12 - Back Lid

[030]

[031] Washers/Dryers (1) contain a drum (2) that rotates around its center axis (H), thus ensuring the washing/drying of the laundries placed within.

[032] The drum (2) comprises a body (10) preferably made of a coated metal sheet strip, ensuring the washing/drying of laundries placed within; a front lid (11) forming the loading opening of the body (10), preferably made of coated metallic sheet material; a back lid (12) preferably made of coated metallic sheet material, and insuring the confinement of the body (10); seams (5) formed by the folding of side edges into each other alongside the edges of the sheet strip forming the body (10), or alongside the contact between the body (10) and the front lid (11), or alongside the contact between the body (10) and the back lid (12), one or several stiffening corrugation (4) for ensuring a durable connection formed by compressing of seams seam by cold fastening processes, and one or more seam base (6) in the area adjacent to the seam.

[033] The seam (5) exhibits a seam axis (L), equidistant from its side edges, a seam dent axis (J) equidistant from the seam base (6) and consequently divide the stiffening corrugation (4) in half, and a 'position angle' (G) between the seam axis (L) and the seam dent axis (J) seam.

[034] In this embodiment, the stiffening corrugation (4) is placed such that, the position angle (G) is different from 90° and 180° for preventing from the dynamic forces, the tensions and the torques in various directions acting on it. In the preferred embodiment, the angle between the seam dent axis (J) and the seam axis (L) is 45°.

[035] The stiffening corrugation (4) has; a 'fold width' (A) representing the size of the lateral side of the seam (5), a 'seam depth' (B) relating to the depth of the seam formed as a result of the press process, a 'seam top width' (C) formed on the upper surface of the sheet by a plastic deformation of the material as a result of the press process, a 'seam top length' (D) formed on the upper surface of the sheet by a plastic deformation of the material as a result of the press process, a 'seam base width' (E) formed on the sheet, at the base of the seam, as a result of the press process, a 'seam base length' (F) formed on the sheet, at the base of the seam, as a result of the press process, and an 'assembly interval' (K) between drum perforations and/or rib attachment hole.

[036] In the current embodiment, the seam top length (D) is triple of the fold width (A), while the seam top width (C) is about the triple of the seam base width (E).

[037] In the preferred embodiment, the stiffening corrugation (4), formed at a 45° position angle (G), would affect the seam (5) in its entirety along the seam axis (J) before reaching the area of the sheet, which is not fold.

[038] Stiffening corrugations (4) could be placed either at regular intervals; or at 'assembly intervals' (K), in a way not to interfere with neighbouring drum perforations or rib attachment holes; or in a more random fashion. The position angle (G) is selected so as to allow an assembly interval (K) not interfering with drum perforations and/or rib attachment holes, as a function of the seam position, while precluding the effects of dynamic forces acting in various directions, tensions and torques. Stiffening corrugation (4) could be placed as either parallel or with various position angles (G).

[039] As edges are hemmed and clasped before cold pressing as part of the formation of seams (5), sharp elements are eliminated, thus the washed/dried laundries are protected from damage. Moreover the stiffening corrugations (4) created by cold pressing has (have) its (their) edges devoid of sharp or pointed salient, further reducing the risk of material harm to washed/dried laundries.

[040] By the current application, the numerous stiffening corrugations (4) present, making an angle with the drum axis (H), ensure that the drum (2) is not affected by dynamic forces, tensions and torques acting on various directions.

Claims

[001] A drum (2) for using in washers/dryers comprises a body (10) achieving the washing/drying of laundries placed in it by rotating around its axis (H), a front lid (11), attached to the body (10) and forming its loading opening, a back lid (12) confining the body (10), a seam (5) formed by the hemming together of either the two edges of the sheet strip forming the body (10), or the touching edges of the body sheet (10) and the front lid (11), or the touching edges of the body sheet (10) and the back lid (12), one or more stiffening corrugation (4) formed by a cold pressing process along the seam (5), and characterized by ensuring the stiffening of the seam (5), with the proviso that the angle (G) between the seam dent axis (J) and the seam axis (L) is different from 90° and 180° so as to preclude the possible effects of dynamic forces, tensions and torques acting in various directions.

[002] A drum (2), as described in Claim 1, characterized by a seam top length (D) triple of the seam width (A).

[003] A drum (2) as described in Claims 1 and 2, characterized by a stiffening corrugation (4) formed as a consequence of the material plastic deformation induces by the cold pressing process, where the seam top width (C) would be approximately the triple of the base width (E).

[004] A drum (2) as described in Claims 1 to 3, characterized by a stiffening corrugation (4) placed at regular intervals on the seam (5).

[005] A drum (2) as described in Claims 1 to 3, characterized by a stiffening corrugation (4) placed at irregular intervals on the seam (5).

[006] A drum (2) as described in any of the above Claims, characterized by stiffening corrugations (4) placed as parallel to each other,

[007] A drum (2) as described in Claims 1 to 5, characterized by stiffening corrugations (4) placed with various position angles (G) to each other.

[008] A drum (2) as described in Claims 1 to 5, characterized by stiffening corrugations (4) placed with a 45° position angle (G)..

[009] A drum (2) as described in Claim 8, characterized by stiffening corrugations (4) deforming the entirety of the seam (5), and extending to the section of the sheet, which is not fold.

[010] A washer/dryer (1) characterized by a drum (2) as described in any of the above Claims.