EP2194179A2 - Drum of a laundry care machine and laundry care machine with a drum - Google Patents

Abstract

The drum (1) has a housing including a pivot axle (A) that rotates around the drum, where the housing includes a tubular housing casing part (2) with front and rear walls. An outer side of the housing is provided with a liquid jet-generating device (3) communicating with an inner side of the housing for generating a liquid jet (WS) that is directed into the inner side of the housing and/or on the drum. The liquid jet-generating device includes a regenerated-flow channel (4) that consists of an inlet opening (4a) provided on an outer side of the drum.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

The present invention relates to a drum of a Wäschepflegemaschine, in particular a washing machine, a washer-dryer, or the like, and a Wäschepflegemaschine with such a drum.

STATE OF THE ART

It is a drum of a laundry care machine, such as e.g. a washing machine, known, which has a drum housing with an axis of rotation about which the drum is rotatable. The drum housing usually has a tubular housing shell part with a front wall and a rear wall. The housing shell part is usually equipped with a plurality of small through holes, so that liquid can get into the interior of the drum.

Previously known drums and laundry care machines, in particular washing machines or washer-dryers have only a limited cleaning efficiency.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

The invention has the object or the technical problem of providing a drum of a laundry care machine, in particular a washing machine, a washer-dryer, or the like, which enables a higher cleaning efficiency; Furthermore, a Wäschepflegemaschine, in particular a washing machine, a washer-dryer, or the like, to be provided with such a drum.

The aforementioned object is achieved according to a first aspect by a drum according to the invention with the features of claim 1.

This drum of a laundry machine, in particular a washing machine or a washer-dryer, or the like, comprises: a drum housing having a rotation axis about which the drum is rotatable, wherein the drum housing has a tubular housing shell part having a front wall and a rear wall. The outside of the drum housing is provided with a liquid jet generating means communicating with the interior of the drum housing for producing a strong jet of liquid directed into and / or out of the drum.

The liquid jet generating means is activated by the rotary motion of the drum itself and kept in operation when the drum is e.g. is rotated in a liquid-filled tub of a washing machine or the like.

With the aid of the liquid jet generating device, a strong jet of liquid can be generated and injected into (or also sucked out of) the interior of the drum and onto or into the laundry located there. As a result, a strong rinsing and cleaning effect and thus a higher cleaning efficiency can be achieved. For this reason, if desired, with the same cleaning effect, the duration of a washing cycle could be reduced compared to conventional washing machines or laundry care machines. The strong jet of liquid will also always carry a certain amount of air and thus produce air bubbles, which are injected together with the liquid into the interior of the drum. This effect can also be used to improve the cleaning of the fabrics in the drum and to increase the effect of a detergent or fabric softener or the like used in a washing process.

Preferred and advantageous design features of the drum according to the invention are the subject of the dependent claims 2 to 9, which find their support in the following description and the drawings.

The object underlying the invention is achieved according to a second aspect by a Wäschepflegemaschine invention having the features of claim 10. This laundry care machine, in particular a washing machine, a washer-dryer, or the like, has a drum according to one or more of claims 1 to 9. Essentially the same advantages can be achieved with the laundry care machine according to the invention, which have already been explained above in connection with the drum according to the invention.

Preferred embodiments of the invention with additional design details and other advantages are described and explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1

eine schematische, seitliche Querschnittsansicht durch einen wesentlichen Bereich einer erfindungsgemäßen Trommel gemäß einer ersten Ausführungsform;

Fig. 2

eine schematische Schnittsansicht der erfindungsgemäßen Trommel von Fig. 1 entlang der Linie II-II in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3

eine schematische Schnittsansicht der erfindungsgemäßen Trommel von Fig. 1 und 2 entlang der Linie III-III in Fig. 2;

Fig.4

eine schematische seitliche Querschnittsansicht durch einen wesentlichen Bereich einer erfindungsgemäßen Trommel gemäß einer zweiten Ausführungsform;

Fig. 5

eine schematische Draufsicht auf einen äußeren Umfangsbereich einer erfindungsgemäßen Trommel gemäß einer dritten Ausführungsform;

Fig. 6

eine schematische Schnittansicht der erfindungsgemäßen Trommel von Fig. 5 entlang der Linie VI-VI in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7

eine schematische seitliche Querschnittsansicht durch einen wesentlichen Bereich einer erfindungsgemäßen Trommel gemäß einer vierten Ausführungsform; und

Fig. 8

eine schematische, teilweise geschnittene Perspektivansicht einer wesentlichen Komponente einer erfindungsgemäßen Trommel gemäß einer fünften Ausführungsform.

It shows:

Fig. 1

a schematic, side cross-sectional view through a substantial portion of a drum according to the invention according to a first embodiment;

Fig. 2

a schematic sectional view of the drum according to the invention of Fig. 1 along the line II-II in Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3

a schematic sectional view of the drum according to the invention of Fig. 1 and 2 along the line III-III in Fig. 2 ;

Figure 4

a schematic lateral cross-sectional view through a substantial portion of a drum according to the invention according to a second embodiment;

Fig. 5

a schematic plan view of an outer peripheral portion of a drum according to the invention according to a third embodiment;

Fig. 6

a schematic sectional view of the drum according to the invention of Fig. 5 along the line VI-VI in Fig. 5 ;

Fig. 7

a schematic lateral cross-sectional view through a substantial portion of a drum according to the invention according to a fourth embodiment; and

Fig. 8

a schematic, partially sectioned perspective view of an essential component of a drum according to the invention according to a fifth embodiment.

PRESENTATION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following description and in the figures, the same components and components are also identified by the same reference numerals to avoid repetition, unless further differentiation is necessary or useful.

In the Fig. 1 is a schematic lateral cross-sectional view through a substantial portion of a drum 1 according to the invention according to a first embodiment. Fig. 2 shows a schematic sectional view of the drum 1 of the invention Fig. 1 along the line II-II in Fig. 1 , Fig. 3 shows a schematic sectional view of the drum 1 of the invention Fig. 1 and 2 along the line III-III in Fig. 2 , The longitudinal direction X, the width direction Y and the height direction Z of the drum 1 are in these figures in a Cartesian coordinate system located. In this embodiment, the drum 1 is the drum of a washing machine. This made of a stainless steel sheet drum 1 with a radius R has a rotation axis A and is rotatably mounted in a tub, which contains in the washing operation water, alkali or other suitable cleaning or rinsing liquid. Basically, the drum 1 has a drum housing with a tubular housing shell part 2 and a front wall and a rear wall. The housing shell part 2 has an outer surface 2a and an inner surface 2b. The front wall is configured substantially annular and has a loading opening through which laundry can be introduced into the interior of the drum 1 and, after a washing process, can be removed again from the drum 1. The rear wall is usually designed substantially disc-shaped. On the rear wall, the axis of rotation attack, for example via a star. The direction of rotation of the drum 1 is indicated in the drawing by an arrow D.

In the case of the drum 1 according to the invention, the outside of the drum housing, i. Here, the outer surface 2a, provided with a communicating with the interior of the drum 1 liquid jet generating means 3 for generating a directed into the interior of the drum 1 in liquid jet or water jet WS.

This liquid jet generating device 3 has at least one elongated flow channel 4, which tapers counter to the direction of rotation. The flow channel 4 has a liquid inlet opening 4a located on the outside 2a of the drum 1 and a channel section leading through the drum housing or its housing shell part 2 into the interior of the drum 1, which opens into a liquid outlet opening 4b. The outlet port 4b has a smaller liquid passage area than the inlet port 4a and forms a jet nozzle. As in the FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 can be seen, the flow channel 4 in the form of a bulge 5 or convexity as an integral part of the drum housing or the housing shell part second formed, ie, here as a plastically deformed and perforated, in the direction of the outside of the drum 1 out bulged area 5 of the peripheral wall of the tubular housing shell part second

As in the lateral cross-sectional view of Fig. 1 is indicated, the flow channel 4 is slightly curved, so that generated in the flow channel 4 water jet WS relative to an applied to the circumference of the drum 1 and the housing shell part 2 tangent T with an entry angle α flows into the interior of the drum 1. This curvature of the flow channel 4 is chosen here such that the entry angle α is preferably in a range of 15 ° to 90 °, in particular 20 ° to 90 °, in particular 30 ° to 90, in particular 45 ° to 90 °, in particular 60 ° to 90 °.

As in the presentation of Fig. 3 can be seen, the symmetrical flow channel 4 also extends substantially parallel to the width direction Y of the drum 1 and parallel to the rotational direction D of the drum 1. The flow channel 4, however, also curved laterally relative to the longitudinal direction X and width direction Y of the drum 1 be formed asymmetrically, so that the water jet WS generated in the flow channel 4 then enters the interior of the drum 1 with a lateral entry angle β. This variant is in the Fig. 3 indicated by dashed lines.

The drum 1 according to the invention preferably has a plurality of such flow channels 4, which are distributed uniformly around the circumference of the drum 1.

When the drum 1 rotates in the direction of rotation D within the tub filled with liquid or detergent, a flow S is generated relative to the flow duct 4 and a part of the liquid is forced into the flow duct 4 or its inlet opening 4a. As a result of the tapered shape of the flow channel 4, the flow velocity of the liquid in this case will increase in the direction of the outlet opening 4b. And a strong jet of water WS gets through the Outlet opening 4b through which acts as a jet nozzle, injected into the interior of the drum 1 and there, to be cleaned textiles. As a result, the textiles are thoroughly rinsed, which considerably increases the cleaning effect and the cleaning speed. If desired, the duration of the cleaning process can thus be considerably shortened with the same cleaning effect compared to a drum and a washing machine according to the prior art.

In the Fig. 4 is a schematic lateral cross-sectional view through a substantial portion of a drum 1 according to the invention according to a second embodiment. This variant is essentially similar to that of FIGS. 1 to 3 However, the tapered flow channel 4 is formed in this case by a integrally formed on the drum housing or the tubular housing shell part 2 recess 6. A flow channel 4, which has both a bulge and a recess, is also possible within the meaning of the invention.

Fig. 5 shows a schematic plan view of an outer peripheral portion of a drum 1 according to the invention according to a third embodiment. In the Fig. 6 is a schematic sectional view of the drum 1 of the invention Fig. 5 along the line VI-VI in Fig. 5 outlined. This drum 1 has a liquid jet generating device 3 with at least one venturi nozzle-like, half-open channel 7 on the outside of the drum, ie on the circumference or the outer side 2a of the tubular housing shell part 2. The Venturi channel 7 extends in the circumferential direction of the drum 1 and parallel to its rotational direction D. The Venturi channel 7 is formed in this example by plastically deformed portions of the housing shell part 2. The Venturi channel 7 has two oppositely directed, mutually tapered, substantially symmetrical channel sections 7a, 7b, which are united at the location of their smallest channel diameter. In the region of the junction point, a removal opening 8 is provided, which communicates with the interior of the drum 1. The removal opening 8 is a passage opening or liquid suction opening in the housing shell part 2.

If the drum is rotated in the direction of rotation D or counter to the direction of rotation D, a low pressure ("negative pressure") is formed in the region of the removal opening 8, so that the liquid in the interior of the drum 1 is sucked out through the removal opening 8. The located inside the drum 1, to be cleaned textiles are therefore again strongly flows through, which increases the cleaning effect or rinsing effect. A symmetrical Venturi channel 7 is particularly suitable for changing the direction of rotation of the drum 1, while an asymmetrical Venturi channel is preferred for a drum 1 with only one direction of rotation. Although a semi-open venturi 7 has been discussed in this example, the invention also encompasses venturi channels in which the flow channel is further or even completely encased.

In the Fig. 7 is shown in a schematic lateral cross-sectional view through a substantial portion of a drum 1 according to the invention according to a fourth embodiment. Similar to the variant after the FIGS. 1 to 3 is an essential part of the flow channel 9 in turn formed in the form of a bulge as an integral part of the tubular housing shell part 2. However, the outer opening of this flow channel 9 (which forms a suction opening 9a) is not directed against the flow direction S of the liquid occurring during the rotation of the drum, but opens in the flow direction S. The bulge, which effectively forms the outer casing of the flow channel 9, has the shape of a ramp 10. This has the effect that upon rotation of the drum 1 in the direction of rotation D behind the ramp 10, a low pressure ("negative pressure") forms and so creates a suction effect. It is a Venturi effect. A part of the water located within the drum 1 or the liquid located there is therefore sucked off through the flow channel 9 and its suction opening 9a. The located inside the drum 1, to be cleaned textiles are therefore again strongly flows through, which increases the cleaning effect or rinsing effect. If the direction of rotation D in the variant after Fig. 7 vice versa, the flow channel 9 at a suitable Design similar to the flow channel 4 of the embodiment according to the FIGS. 1 to 3 function.

In the Fig. 8 is shown in a schematic, partially sectioned perspective view of an essential component of a drum according to the invention according to a fifth embodiment. In this variant, the liquid jet generating device 3, a separate, fixable on the drum housing adapter element 11 made of plastic, which has at least a portion of the flow channel 4, the liquid inlet opening 4a and the liquid outlet opening 4b. This adapter element 11 is designed as a housing-shaped, the flow channel 4 substantially completely sheathing, tapered Aufsteckelement which is preferably attachable to the outside (or inner side) of the drum or otherwise fixable. Conventional drums of a washing machine or a washer dryer usually have at their tubular housing shell part passage openings ("standard passages"), through which the liquid contained in the tub can get into the interior of the drum. The plug-on element 11 is now provided with plug connection elements 12, 13, 14, which can be inserted and latched into these standard passage openings. In this way, the Aufsteck- or adapter element 11 is simple, effective and secure to the drum. In principle, however, special connection elements can also be provided on the adapter elements 11 and / or the drum.

In the present example, the plug-on element 11 has three plug connection elements 12, 13, 14. Two (12, 13) are pin-shaped, while the third plug connection element 14, which is arranged at the narrow end of the plug-on element 11 and the tapered flow channel 4, hollow or is tubular. It thus constitutes an outlet plug connection element 14, which forms the outlet opening 4b of the flow channel 4 designed as a jet nozzle. Like the other two connector elements 12, 13, it is in a standard through hole of the drum housing inserted (or through this passage opening can be plugged). As outlet connector 14 thus establishes fluid communication with the interior of the drum. The function of this Aufsteckelementes 11 and its flow channel 4 substantially corresponds to the flow channel 4 of the embodiment according to the FIGS. 1 to 3 , Of course, instead of an outlet plug connection element 14, which functions as an outlet for the flow channel 4, the plug-on element 11 can also have an outlet for the flow channel 4 that is completely independent of the plug connection elements.

The drum according to the invention is preferably used in laundry care machines, in particular washing machines, washing dryers, or the like.

The invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Within the scope of the appended claims, other embodiments may be practiced. In particular, the various inventive components of the described different embodiments and / or the respective claims can be combined or combined.

A respective flow channel can also be provided on partial regions of the rear wall or even on partial regions of the front wall of the drum. Pressing and sucking flow channels can also be combined on one drum. Such flow channels can, for example, be provided at a distance from one another on the tubular housing shell part in the circumferential direction of the drum. Liquid is then both pressed into the drum or injected and sucked out of this again, which allows a very intensive flushing and thus a very effective cleaning of the textiles in the drum.

The outlet opening of the flow channel functioning as a jet nozzle can in particular have a flow channel in which the liquid is pressed into the channel via the dynamic pressure, different cross-sectional shapes exhibit. It can basically be round, oval, angular, polygonal, slit-shaped (eg as fan-jet nozzle), wave-shaped, symmetrical or asymmetrical, etc.

Furthermore, the size of the passage opening of the jet nozzle can be made variable. This can be done by an active or passive adjustment of the nozzle opening. A passive adjustment may e.g. Depending on the speed or centrifugal force can be realized. At the nozzle opening adjustment elements, e.g. be provided in the form of sliders, elastic elements or the like. At the outlet port, e.g. an elastically deformable tongue may be attached which limits one side of the nozzle opening. The tongue may be formed as an integral part of the drum wall. Depending on the speed of the drum, the tongue will deform differently elastically due to centrifugal force and thus form differently sized nozzle openings. A variable nozzle size may e.g. be beneficial for cleaning different textiles, which have different textures and textures. In particular, in the region of the outlet opening of the flow channel, vortex exciters can also be arranged, which generate a twist and thus a vortex-shaped water jet.

The described slip-on element 11 can also be designed such that, instead of covering the flow channel substantially completely, it covers only a partial region of the flow channel, while the other half is covered, for example. is formed by a wall region of the drum.

Reference signs in the claims, the description and the drawings are only for the better understanding of the invention and are not intended to limit the scope.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

drum

2

Tubular housing shell part

2a

Outer surface of 2

2 B

Inner surface of 2

3

Liquid jet-forming means

4

flow channel

4a

Liquid inlet port

4b

Liquid outlet opening (jet nozzle)

5

bulge

6

indentation

7

Venturi channel

7a

Canal section of 7

7b

Canal section of 7

8th

acceptance opening

9

flow channel

9a

suction

10

ramp

11

Adapter / slip-on

12

Connector element

13

Connector element

14

Outlet connector element

α

entry angle

β

Side entry angle

A

Rotary axis of the drum 1

D

Direction of rotation of the drum 1

R

Radius of the drum 1

T

tangent

WS

Liquid jet / water jet

X

Longitudinal direction of the drum 1

Y

Width direction of the drum 1

Z

Height direction of the drum 1

Claims (10)

A drum (1) of a laundry care machine, in particular a washing machine or a washer-dryer, or the like, comprising: a drum housing with a rotation axis (A) about which the drum (1) is rotatable, the drum housing having a tubular housing shell part (2 ) having a front wall and a rear wall,
characterized in that
the outside of the drum housing is provided with a liquid jet generating means (3) communicating with the interior of the drum housing for producing a liquid jet (WS) directed into the interior of the drum (1) and / or out of the drum (1) ). Drum (1) according to claim 1,
characterized in that
the liquid jet generating device (3) has at least one tapered flow channel (4) which
a liquid inlet opening (4a) located on the outside of the drum (1) and a passage section leading through the drum housing into the interior of the drum (1), which opens into a liquid outlet opening (4b) which opens a smaller one Has liquid passage area as the liquid inlet port (4a) and forms a jet nozzle. Drum (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the size of the passage opening of the jet nozzle is variable. Drum (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the liquid jet generating device (3) has at least one venturi-type flow channel (7) on the outside (2; 2a) of the drum (1), with a removal opening (8) communicating with the interior of the drum (1). Drum (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the flow channel (4) is formed by a bulge (5) integrally formed on the drum housing. Drum (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the flow channel (4) is formed by an integrally formed on the drum housing indentation (6). Drum (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the liquid jet generating device (3) has a separate adapter element (11) which can be fixed to the drum housing and has at least a part of the flow channel (4), the liquid inlet opening (4a) and the liquid outlet opening (4b). Drum (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
this has at its tubular housing shell part (2) passage openings; and
the adapter element is designed as a slip-on element (11) and has plug connection elements (12, 13, 14) which can be inserted into the passage openings and with which the adapter element (11) can be fixed to the drum (1). Drum (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
at least one of the plug connection elements (12, 13, 14) is an outlet plug connection element (14) which has the liquid outlet opening (4b) designed as a jet nozzle and can be inserted into a passage opening of the drum housing or can be inserted through the through opening; so that a fluid connection in the interior of the drum (1) can be produced. A laundry care machine, in particular a washing machine, a washer-dryer, or the like, with a drum (1) according to one or more of claims 1 to 9.

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