EP1818439A2 - Top-loading machine for washing and/or drying laundry - Google Patents

Top-loading machine for washing and/or drying laundry Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1818439A2
EP1818439A2 EP07101838A EP07101838A EP1818439A2 EP 1818439 A2 EP1818439 A2 EP 1818439A2 EP 07101838 A EP07101838 A EP 07101838A EP 07101838 A EP07101838 A EP 07101838A EP 1818439 A2 EP1818439 A2 EP 1818439A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
drum
frame
machine according
washtub
laundry
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP07101838A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Giuseppe Marchitto
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.)
IAR-SILTAL SpA
Original Assignee
IAR-SILTAL SpA
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 IAR-SILTAL SpA filed Critical IAR-SILTAL SpA
Publication of EP1818439A2 publication Critical patent/EP1818439A2/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current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
    • D06F25/00—Washing machines with receptacles, e.g. perforated, having a rotary movement, e.g. oscillatory movement, the receptacle serving both for washing and for centrifugally separating water from the laundry and having further drying means, e.g. using hot air 
    • 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
    • D06F37/02—Rotary receptacles, e.g. drums
    • D06F37/04—Rotary receptacles, e.g. drums adapted for rotation or oscillation about a horizontal or inclined axis
    • 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
    • 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
    • D06F58/00—Domestic laundry dryers
    • D06F58/02—Domestic laundry dryers having dryer drums rotating about a horizontal axis
    • D06F58/04—Details 
    • D06F58/06—Mountings for the rotating drums

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a top-loading machine for washing and/or drying laundry.
  • Machines of the type indicated above typically comprise a cabinet, supported inside which is a washtub.
  • a drum for containing the laundry which is movable about a respective axis of rotation, which is usually horizontal.
  • the washtub has a top opening that faces a circumferential wall of the drum, provided on which is a respective hatch.
  • the cabinet in turn comprises a respective top door, which enables access to the opening of the washtub, and hence to the hatch of the drum.
  • the drum is brought into an angular position such that its hatch is found in a position corresponding to the top opening of the washtub.
  • Top-loading machines of the type referred to above are particularly appreciated by virtue of their reduced overall dimensions in operation.
  • the fact that the operations of loading/unloading of the laundry can be carried out from the top part of the cabinet enables flexibility of installation of the machine itself, in the sense that - broadly speaking - any side of the cabinet can be set up against a wall of an environment or against an adjacent furnishing component. Said possibility is not allowed in the case of front-loading washing and/or drying machines, i.e., machines of the type in which the cabinet is provided with a front door for enabling introduction of the laundry into the drum.
  • top-loading machines In top-loading machines, however, the operations of loading/unloading the drum with the laundry are relatively more difficult as compared to the case of front-loading machines.
  • an attempt has been made to increase the dimensions of the top passage of the cabinet in order to facilitate access to the opening of the washtub and to the drum.
  • an attempt has been made to bestow on the top part of the cabinet a possibly more ergonomic conformation. Said compromise solutions, however, do not prove fully satisfactory.
  • the main purpose of the present invention is to meet the aforesaid need. According to the present invention, said purpose is achieved thanks to a machine having the characteristics recalled in the ensuing claims, which form an integral part of the technical teaching provided herein in relation to the invention.
  • the invention mainly regards the solution whereby the drum, albeit constrained with respect to the washtub, is mounted so as to enable its selective displacement between a lowered position, for machine's working, and a raised position, for loading/unloading of the laundry.
  • the machine is preferably provided with a frame that supports the drum, said frame being rotatable in the washtub about a respective axis of rotation, and the drum being selectively displaceable on the frame between the aforesaid lowered position and raised position, in a direction that is substantially transverse with respect to the aforesaid axis.
  • locking means that can be switched between an operative condition and an inoperative condition.
  • the locking means In the operative condition, the locking means keep the drum in a fixed position with respect to the frame, in such a way that the drum and the frame rotate together during operation of the machine.
  • the inoperative condition of the locking means instead, displacement of the drum on the frame between the aforesaid lowered position and said raised position is made possible in order to render the operations of loading/unloading of the laundry convenient.
  • the aforesaid frame comprises at least one upright element facing one of the end walls of the drum, said upright element being constrained to the drum via slidable-coupling means.
  • the frame preferably comprises also a transverse element, which faces the circumferential wall of the drum.
  • the reference number 1 designates as a whole a top-loading machine for washing and/or drying laundry made according to the teachings of the present invention. It will be assumed that, in the case exemplified, the machine 1 is of the type designed to perform only washing of laundry, even though the invention can be applied also to the so-called washing-drying machines and to drying machines.
  • the machine comprises a cabinet or supporting structure, designated as a whole by 2.
  • Said structure comprises a base 3, which is basically rectangular in plan view, and a top body, designated by 4, which in the example provided has basically the shape of a frame, provided with a corresponding through opening designated by 4b.
  • the top body 4 has a shape that is substantially rectangular in plan view.
  • Fixed to the base 3 and to the top body 4 are side closing panels, two of which are designated by 6 in Figure 1, which provide the vertical walls of the cabinet of the machine.
  • the reference number 8 designates the top door of the machine 1.
  • directly associated to the door 8 are the control devices of the machine, designated as a whole by 9.
  • the door 9 is mounted on the body 4 by means of hinges 10, partially visible in Figures 2 and 5.
  • the reference number 11 designates as a whole the washtub of the machine, preferably but not necessarily made of moulded plastic material.
  • the washtub 11 comprises, in its bottom part, a discharge outlet 11a, formed in the peripheral wall 11b of the washtub itself.
  • the body of the washtub 11 is completed by two opposite side walls, designated by 11c, on each of which a hub 11d is present, the hubs carried by the aforesaid two side walls being in coaxial positions.
  • the aforesaid hubs 11d can have a respective metal anchorage part that is at least partially embedded in the plastic material constituting the washtub.
  • the peripheral walls 11b and side walls 11c are shaped and arranged in such a way that the washtub 11 presents a top access opening, designated by 11e.
  • the washtub 11 is supported at the bottom via two shock-absorbing feet, one of which may be seen in Figure 2, where it is designated by 12.
  • the shock-absorbing feet extend on opposed sides of the bottom area of the washtub 11 and are connected, at the bottom end, to the base 3.
  • the washtub 11 is instead constrained to the body 4 via elastic elements (not visible), preferably comprising spiral springs.
  • FIG. 2 Moreover visible in Figure 2 is an electric actuation motor, designated by 13, provided with a respective rotating shaft 13a, as well as a washing pump, designated by 14.
  • the electrical and hydraulic connections of the elements 13 and 14 are not represented, as likewise not represented are other internal components of the machine that are not of specific interest for an understanding of the invention.
  • the drum for the laundry of the machine 1 which has a generally cylindrical shape and is able to rotate within the washtub about a substantially horizontal axis, designated by A and passing through the two hubs 11d, or in any case transverse with respect to the vertical; the axis A could thus have a certain inclination.
  • the drum 20 comprises a circumferential wall 20a and two end walls 20b.
  • the drum 20 is of the so-called “hybrid” type, i.e., of the type in which the circumferential wall 20a is made of stainless steel and the two end walls 20b are made of moulded plastic material.
  • the drum 20 comprises a single element for entraining the laundry, designated by 20c, having the function of facilitating mixing of the clothes within the drum 20, during rotation of the latter.
  • the entraining element 20c is obtained via deformation of a portion of the circumferential wall 20a and basically consists of a V-shaped recess having the vertex facing inside the drum 20.
  • the drum 20 is moreover provided with a respective hatch, represented only schematically and designated by 21, of a type in itself known, and comprises at least one movable flap hinged to the circumferential wall 20a.
  • the drum 20 is mounted movable with respect to the washtub so as to be able to be displaced between a lowered position, visible for example in Figure 1, and a raised position, visible in Figure 2.
  • a lowered position visible for example in Figure 1
  • a raised position visible in Figure 2.
  • the geometrical axis of the drum 20 substantially coincides with the axis A
  • the geometrical axis of the drum 20 is substantially parallel to the axis A.
  • the machine 1 is equipped with a frame for supporting the drum 20, said frame being mounted in a rotatable way within of the washtub 11 so as rotate about the axis A.
  • the aforesaid frame designated as a whole by 22, basically comprises two uprights 23 and a cross member 24, preferably made of stainless steel.
  • the cross member 24 extends between respective end parts of the two uprights 23 and has an engagement element 24a, which projects in the direction of the drum 20 and extends longitudinally through at least part of the length of the cross member itself.
  • Said engagement element 24a has preferably an outer profile complementary to the internal profile of the entraining element 20c of the drum 20 (and hence is substantially V-shaped) and is, for example, formed directly via shaping of the cross member 24.
  • the two uprights 23 have a longitudinal development approximately equal to or slightly larger than the diameter of the drum 20 and each have, in an intermediate area, a respective rotation pin or shaft, one of which is visible in Figure 3 and is designated by 25a.
  • Each pin 25 is anchored to the central part of the respective upright 23 via means in themselves known, comprising, for example, a flange element 25a fixed with screws or the like.
  • each upright 23 has respective seats 26 and 27, which extend basically throughout the length of the upright itself and are preferably formed via shaping thereof.
  • the seat 26 of each upright 23 provides a rectilinear running guide designed to co-operate with wheels 30 associated to a respective end wall 20b of the drum 20.
  • the wheels 30 are rotatably mounted on supports 30a that are at least partially embedded in the thermoplastic material that forms the corresponding end wall 20b.
  • each upright 23 are, instead, designed to house a respective gas spring, designated as a whole by 29 in Figure 3, of a type in itself known.
  • Each spring 29 comprises a piston element or stem 29a and a cylinder element 29b.
  • the piston element 29a has one end rendered fixed to the respective upright 23 (but it could be the cross member 24), and the cylinder element 29b has one end fixed to an attachment formed or partially embedded in the respective end wall 20b of the drum 20.
  • the gas springs 29 constitute, in a way similar to the system formed by the guide 26 and the wheels 30, means for slidable coupling between the frame 22 and the drum 20, given that the piston elements 29 are slidable within the cylinder elements 29b.
  • the machine according to the invention is further provided with locking means, that can be switched between an operative position and an inoperative position in order to maintain the drum 20 blocked with respect to the frame 22 or else enable displacement of the drum with respect to the frame between the aforesaid lowered position and said raised position.
  • the locking means comprise a mechanism with two catches, which are designed to project in opposite points of the drum, substantially in the proximity of the edge of a respective end wall 20b.
  • the aforesaid mechanism designated as a whole by 31, comprises a handle 31a associated to a rotating member 31b.
  • the mechanism for producing displacement of the catches 31c can be of any known type, for example comprising transmission rods having one end hinged to the member 31b in an eccentric position and the other end hinged to the catches 31.
  • each catch 31c is designed to co-operate with a respective seat formed in a top cross member of a respective upright 23.
  • One of said seats is designated by 28 in Figure 3.
  • the condition of engagement of one of the catches 31c in the respective seat 28 is visible, for example, in Figure 4.
  • the pins or shafts for rotation 25 of the upright elements 23 are coupled in the respective hubs 11d.
  • a pulley (not represented), which, via a suitable belt (not represented either), receives the motion from the shaft 13a of the driving motor 13.
  • the assembly thus formed is set in rotation within the washtub, about the axis A. In this way the normal washing operations are carried out.
  • the arrangement of the slidable-coupling means 26-30 and 29 is not specular on the two upright elements 23. Said arrangement is considered preferable considering the fact that, in the course of one and the same washing cycle, the drum 20 is made to rotate in opposite directions.
  • the user opens the door 8 of the machine, as may be seen, for example, in Figures 1 and 5.
  • the door 8 of the machine As may be seen, for example, in Figures 1 and 5.
  • the control system of the machine can be provided in such a way that, at the end of a washing cycle, the motor will be controlled for leading the assembly formed by the drum 20 and the frame 22 autonomously into the aforesaid position.
  • the force of reaction of the gas springs 29 is preferably such as to facilitate only the passage from the lowered position to the raised position of the drum, and not to bring about an autonomous raising of the drum 20.
  • raising of the drum 20 presupposes in any case a pulling action upwards exerted by the user, via the handle 31a.
  • the force of the springs 29 is in any case such as to maintain the drum in the raised position.
  • the major sides of the opening 11e of the washtub 11 are slightly longer than the diameter of the end walls 20b of the drum 20, and the minor sides of the opening 11e are slightly longer than the depth of the drum 20. Similar considerations, as regards the dimensions of the cross section, apply to the passage 4b of the top body 4. In this way, in the raised position, the drum 20 can project to a substantial extent outside the washtub 11 and the cabinet 2, respectively, through the opening 11e and through the passage 4b, as may be clearly seen, for example, in Figure 2.
  • the drum 20 and the frame 22 are prevented from performing any significant oscillations, precisely by virtue of the fact that the lateral encumbrance of the drum 20 occupies almost the entire section of the aforesaid opening 11e and passage 4b.
  • the relative position of the drum and the frame is such that the hatch with flaps 21 is in an advantageous position from the ergonomic standpoint, preferably not in a position corresponding to the top dead centre of the drum, but rather facing one of the minor sides of the machine.
  • the user can open the hatch 21 and take out the laundry from the drum itself.
  • the hatch 21 can be reclosed.
  • the user has to push the drum 20 down, with a force such as to overcome the reaction of the gas springs 29.
  • said springs 29 are of limited power, so that the lowering operation does not require an particular effort.
  • the wheels 30 run within the respective guides 26, and the piston elements 29a run within the respective cylinder elements 29b.
  • the user rotates the handle 31a in the direction opposite to the previous one, i.e., into the position visible in the various figures.
  • the catch elements 31c come to engage again in the respective seats 28 of the uprights.
  • the drum 20 is then brought back into the condition of clamping with respect to the frame 22, in a position similar to that of Figure 1.
  • the top door 9 of the machine can then be reclosed and, if need be, the new washing cycle can be started.
  • the means for slidable coupling between the drum and the respective supporting frame could be shaped differently from the ones exemplified previously.
  • the actuator means designed to assist the movement of raising of the drum could be of a conformation and type different from the one illustrated by way of example. It is pointed out, for example, that it is possible to provide a number of parallel series of wheels 30 on one and the same end wall 20b of the drum 20, with a corresponding number of runner guides 26 for the upright element 23 that faces said wall. In principle, there is nothing to rule out the possibility of associating the guides to the end walls of the drum and the corresponding wheels to the respective upright element.
  • the mechanism 31 comprises safety means, provided for maintaining the mechanism itself in the respective operative condition.
  • Said means can conveniently comprise elastic members, operative for constantly forcing the catch elements 31c towards the respective projecting position.
  • the handle 31a has to be rotated, in order to overcome the action of said elastic members, to an extent sufficient to produce disengagement of the catches 31c from the seats 28. After said disengagement, also by releasing the handle 31a, the catches return into their respective projecting positions under the action of the aforesaid elastic means.
  • the projecting ends of the catches 31c and the region of the respective uprights 23 in which the seat 28 is provided can be conveniently shaped for enabling a snap-action engagement between the drum 20 and the frame 22, that can occur practically at the end of the action of lowering of the drum, without it being necessary to actuate the handle 31a.
  • it is, for example, sufficient to shape the projecting end of each catch 31c as an inclined-plane or a cam-like surface, such as the latch of any spring-operated lock.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Main Body Construction Of Washing Machines And Laundry Dryers (AREA)
  • Processing Of Solid Wastes (AREA)
EP07101838A 2006-02-09 2007-02-06 Top-loading machine for washing and/or drying laundry Withdrawn EP1818439A2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT000091A ITTO20060091A1 (it) 2006-02-09 2006-02-09 Macchina per il lavaggio e/o l'asciugatura di biancheria a carica dall'alto

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1818439A2 true EP1818439A2 (en) 2007-08-15

Family

ID=38024279

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP07101838A Withdrawn EP1818439A2 (en) 2006-02-09 2007-02-06 Top-loading machine for washing and/or drying laundry

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1818439A2 (it)
CN (1) CN101078157A (it)
IT (1) ITTO20060091A1 (it)

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2013122427A1 (en) * 2012-02-16 2013-08-22 Lg Electronics Inc. Laundry treating apparatus
CN108411561B (zh) * 2018-02-26 2020-06-23 中欧电器江苏有限公司 采用旋转、翻滚、挤压方式对衣物进行低噪音清洗方法
CN110409145B (zh) * 2018-04-28 2021-11-02 无锡小天鹅电器有限公司 衣物处理装置
CN111041758B (zh) * 2018-10-12 2023-08-18 青岛海尔洗衣机有限公司 一种滚筒洗衣机

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN101078157A (zh) 2007-11-28
ITTO20060091A1 (it) 2007-08-10

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