EP2474659B1 - Drum with curved structure for a washing machine - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a drum for a washing machine with a tub, in which the drum can be rotatably mounted on a horizontal or inclined axis, comprising a cylindrical shell, which is bounded by an end wall, wherein the jacket has a structure of directed towards the drum interior vaults, which consists of individual curved segments comprises, wherein between each adjacent segments channel-like webs are formed, in which holes for the passage of washing liquid are arranged.

For washing laundry in a drum washing machine, the laundry is washed with water with the addition of detergent with strong drum motion. The drum is hereby perforated, so that the water in the tub with the laundry, which is located in the drum, comes into contact. To improve the Durchbefuchtung scooping ribs are mounted in the drum, which lift the water from the lower portion of the tub upwards and distribute from there over the laundry.

From the EP 0 935 687 B1 or DE 101 62 918 A1 Such a drum for a washing machine is known. So that the laundry is spared during washing, a few holes in the drum shell are arranged with a smaller diameter, here about 2 mm. In the case of small holes, not so many fibers penetrate there during washing or spinning, as a result of which pilling or fiber detachment is avoided. The known drum has a structure of inwardly directed bulges in order to achieve a good discharge of the liquid from the drum. Furthermore, a good protection of the laundry is achieved because it can slide along the vaults very smoothly along. The bulges are in this case uniformly structured, so that the laundry movement is caused by driving ribs which are arranged distributed on the inside of the drum shell over the circumference. In the known drums, it may happen that the water drainage or the liquor exchange between bound liquor and the free liquor, which is located in the drum and in the tub outside the drum, does not run optimally.

The invention is therefore based on the object to provide a drum with buckles for a gentle laundry treatment, in which the mechanical action and the drainage are improved.

The object is achieved by a drum with the features of claim 1 and 11. Advantageous embodiments will become apparent from the following dependent claims.

The main advantage of the drum according to the invention is that an improved movement of the laundry within the drum is achieved when it is arranged approximately horizontally or inclined and rotated at a normal speed for the washing phase, for example 20 to 70 rpm. The curved areas or at least the crests of the vaults offer by the additional embossing an increased frictional resistance for the clothes sliding along it, which are then taken with the drum shell. Furthermore, the conservation of the laundry items is maintained, so that premature wear or damage can be avoided. Furthermore, the dewatering or liquor exchange between bound liquor and free liquor, which is predominantly in the tub outside the drum is improved or accelerated. For this purpose, additional grooves are embossed in the arched segments in each curved area, which extend from a star point in the central region of the curvature starting in each case to the segment edge and open into one of the channel-like webs. The grooves impressed on the bulges serve as drainage channels, through which the water or the washing liquid pressed out of the laundry is directed to the throughflow holes. The additional embossing also ensures further stabilization of the drum shell, so that it can be made of thinner sheet metal, compared to a conventional drum shell. Overall, a good drainage is achieved, despite a small number of flood holes, in which case the diameter of the holes in the range of 1.8 to 3 mm, preferably 2 to 2.5 mm. In this case, the star point is higher in the plane of the inner surface of the drum shell, that is, further toward the interior of the drum or closer to the drum axis, than the channels or the channel-like webs, relative to the plane of the shell. As a result, a turbulence of the air is achieved on the outside of the drum, whereby foaming and the formation of a so-called water jacket is reduced.

In an advantageous embodiment, the grooves on the dome or on the curvature are guided so that they open at a hole in the channel-like web. This provides a short and direct route for water drainage.

Overall, it is advantageous that the grooves have a continuous slope to the channel-like web, relative to the plane of the inside of the shell, wherein the gradient is the direction from the apex portion of the curvature, which is closer to the drum inside, is considered to the drum outer.

In another embodiment, the channel-like webs disposed between the arched segments are curved relative to the plane of the shell, such that they have a slope to the holes. Thus, a derivative of the water or the washing liquid from the webs to the holes between the curved segments is accelerated or improved.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the star point in the plane of the inner surface of the drum shell is higher, ie further to the drum interior, as the channels or the channel-like webs, based on the plane of the shell. As a result, a turbulence of the air is achieved on the outside of the drum, whereby foaming and the formation of a so-called water jacket is reduced.

In an expedient development, the grooves are formed and the grooves are at an angle to the plane of the shell, whereby they have a steady slope to the respective channel-like web. Due to the gradient to the outside of the drum, the discharge of water or washing liquid is improved or accelerated.

In another development, the grooves are curved to the plane of the shell and have a steady slope to the respective channel-like web. Due to the curvature, the channel can follow the curvature course of the channel and be provided with a substantially constant depth.

Overall, the structure of the grooves on a segment is designed so that the star point of adjacent curved portions of the curved segment, which are each bounded by interconnected ridges and channels, is surrounded. Thus, each individual domed segment includes a plurality of domed sub-segments surrounded by gutters and a channel. The curved portions are at least partially higher than the star point, based on the plane of the inner surface of the drum shell. This is at least partially prevents the laundry items settle in the gutters and block the drainage effect.

In another embodiment, another hole is arranged in each star point. This accelerates the discharge and / or fleet exchange.

In an alternative embodiment, the star point is free of holes. This has the effect that the laundry items are better protected, as contacts to an additional hole edge are avoided.

In a further embodiment, additional channels are stamped in the arched segments in the respective curved area, extending from a star point in the central region of the curvature extending in each case to the edge of the segment and open into one of the channel-like webs, wherein the star point and the grooves on the inner surface of the drum shell lie in the same plane as the channels, and further in the neutral point another hole is arranged. As a result, a facet-like structure is achieved in a simple manner, wherein the number of bulges is multiplied by the additional embossing.

Overall, it is expedient to form the segments as polygons and run the grooves so that they open into vertices of the polygons, the holes are arranged at the vertices of the polygons. This can be provided in a simple manner, the entire jacket area with a buckle structure, which has an advantageous effect on the stability of the shell.

In an advantageous development, the segments are formed as hexagons, each comprising three grooves extending from the star point in three corners of the segment. This results in a structure that resembles or resembles a plurality of adjacent diamonds.

In another advantageous embodiment, the segments are also formed as hexagons, wherein the hexagons in this embodiment each comprise six grooves extending from the star point in the six corners of the segment. This results in a facet-like structure of hexagons, each consisting of six triangles whose tips meet in the common star point.

Overall, it is expedient to provide the channels and the gutters with a width in the range of 0.5 to 3 mm. As a result, on the one hand a good and targeted removal of the washing liquid or water is achieved and on the other hand prevents the laundry completely penetrate and clog in all channels or grooves during spin. The drainage effect is thus maintained over a long period of spinning, whereby the effect of the drainage is improved.

Fig. 1:

eine Waschmaschine in einer skizzierten Schnittdarstellung;

Fig. 2:

die Trommel in einer perspektivischen Ansicht und

Fig. 3 bis 9:

den Trommelmantel in abgewickelten Ansichten und Schnittdarstellungen für mehrere Ausführungen.

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 washing machine in a sketched sectional view;

Fig. 2:

the drum in a perspective view and

3 to 9:

the drum shell in developed views and sectional views for several designs.

In Fig. 1 is a purely schematic representation of a washing machine 1, shown with a tub 2. The position and direction information refers to the operational installation position of the washing machine 1. Within the tub 2 is an over a horizontally or inclined axis 27 rotatably mounted and driven by an electric motor 13 Drum 3 is arranged, which moves the laundry items 8 located in the tub 2 and in the drum 3. The drum 3 is made in the present embodiment of stainless steel and with a plurality of holes 21 (FIG. Fig. 2 ) provided for the flooding. The housing 4 has a loading opening 9, via which the interior of the drum 3 can be reached through the sealing sleeve 6. The loading opening 9 can be closed by means of the door 5. In the lower region of the tub 2, the washing liquid 7, which is needed for cleaning or treating the laundry 8. For heating or for heating the liquid 7, a radiator 10 is arranged in the lower region of the tub 2. In the upper part of the machine 1, an inlet valve 15 is sketched, which controls the entry of the water from the supply network. About the Einspülkasten 11, the water is passed through the connecting pipe 14 into the tub 2, wherein in the dispenser 11 entered detergent is flushed into the tub 2. Below the tub, a drain device 12 is arranged, which brings out the spent washing liquid or the rinse water 7 from the tub 2 to the drain line 16, which usually opens into a sewer. The control device 17 controls the water inlet 15, the activity of the drain device 12 and the drive motor 13, which is energized via the power unit or a frequency converter 18.

In Fig. 2 the drum 3 is shown, which consists of a jacket 19 and two opposite end walls 20, wherein here for better illustration of the inside of the jacket 19, the front end face is removed. On the inside 19a of the shell 19 are distributed over the circumference several scooping ribs 21, in this example, three, attached. The scoop ribs 21 are formed in profile V-shaped or parabolic. The drum 3 is perforated with the holes 25 (FIG. Fig. 3 ) are disposed between the domed segments 22 and have a diameter of about 1.8 to 2.5 mm, preferably 2 mm. The drum shell 19 is here divided into three sections, which are divided by the scoop ribs 21. Here, a corresponding structure of the segments 22 is formed in each section. To form the arch structure on the drum shell 19, the segments 22 are angular, in this example 6-square executed with their contours 22a (FIG. Fig. 4a ) lie against each other and form a honeycomb arrangement. In a hexagonal, equilateral form of the curved areas results in a key width in the range between 38 to 55 mm. The height of the bulges of the segments 22 and the sub-segments 27, starting from the channel 23 to the apex or the tip is expediently about 0.1 to 2 mm.

In 3 and 4 the jacket 19 is shown as a settlement. Here, the segments 22 are curved toward the inner surface 19a of the jacket, with respect to the shell plane E. The bulges are each bounded by a peripheral contour 22a on the lateral surface 19a. In this case is the contour 22a hexagonal, so that the juxtaposition of the curved segments 22 results in a honeycomb structure. The bulges 22 are provided by the drum inner side, ie on the convex portions each with additional grooves 24 extending from a star point 26 in the region of the highest elevation on the segment 22, starting from the edge contour 22a, which merges into a web-shaped channel 23 and . forms a web-shaped channel 23. The structure of the grooves 24 with the web-shaped channels 23 thus forms a plurality of curved sub-segments 27, here in this embodiment, there are six.

According to Fig. 5 is a portion of the shell 19 shown as a settlement. In this embodiment, the channels 23 and the grooves 24 are curved.

Fig. 6 shows the structure according to Fig. 5 as a top view. Here, the channels 23 and the gutters are outlined as lines. In the corner points of the hexagonal arrangement of the channels 23 about a curvature 22, the through-holes 25 are arranged. The star point 26 is free of holes. Based on the section line EE, which extends in the longitudinal direction of the channels, it can be seen that the channels 23 are curved, such that to the holes 25 a continuous slope is present, with respect to the plane E of the drum shell 19. Based on the section line DD can be seen that the star point 26 is higher than the respective nearest channel 23. The star point 26 and the channel 23 are surmounted by the curvature of the sub-segment 27 and its apex.

Fig. 7 shows an embodiment in which the star point 26 of the bulges 22 is provided with a further through-hole 25a. In this example, the star point 26 lies on the plane with the channels 23, which are not curved in this example. You may alternatively be curved, as in the embodiment according to Fig. 6 or in the sectional view A - A ( Fig. 9 ) is clarified. According to Fig. 7 It can also be seen that the curved segments 22 are each provided with six grooves 24 which extend in a star shape from the star point 26 to the holes 25 in the channels 23. Thus, the curved segment 22 is divided into six sub-segments 27.

Fig. 8 shows an embodiment in which only three grooves 24 are embossed in a segment 22, which extend from the star point 26, starting at a hole 25 in the channel. The channels 23 are each arranged circumferentially around the curved segments 22. Fig. 8 further shows that star points 26 are each provided with a through-hole 25a. In the execution according to Fig. 9 can be seen from the section line B - B, that the star point 26 is located there with the hole 25a at the same height or level E as the holes 25 in the channels 23rd

Claims (15)

1. Drum (3) for a washing machine (1) having a suds container (2), in which the drum (3) can be rotatably mounted via a horizontal or inclined shaft (7), comprising a cylindrical casing (19) which is delimited by means of an end wall (20), the casing (19) comprising a structure made up of domes which face the inside of the drum and consist of individual domed segments (22), channel-like webs (23) being constructed between each pair of neighbouring segments, in which webs holes (25) are arranged for the passage of washing liquid, characterised in that additional grooves (24) are formed in the respective domed regions in the domed segments (22), each extend to the corresponding segment edge, starting from a star point (26) in the central region of the dome (22), and open into one of the channel-like webs (23), the star point (26) being located higher on the inside surface (19b) of the drum casing, that is to say closer to the drum shaft (7), than the channels (23).
2. Drum according to claim 1, characterised in that each groove (24) opens into a hole (25) in the channel-like web (23).
3. Drum according to either claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that the grooves (24) are at a constant gradient with respect to the channel-like web (23), based on the plane (E) of the casing (19).
4. Drum according to either claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that the channel-like webs (23) have a curved configuration in relation to the plane (E) of the casing (19), such that they are at a gradient with respect to the holes (25).
5. Drum according to claim 1, characterised in that the grooves (24) have a planar configuration and are at an angle with respect to the plane (E) of the casing (19), as a result of which they are at a constant gradient with respect to the respective channel-like webs (23).
6. Drum according to claim 1, characterised in that the grooves (24) have a curved configuration with respect to the plane (E) of the casing (19) and a constant gradient with respect to the respective channel-like webs (23).
7. Drum according to claim 1, characterised in that the star point (26) is surrounded by neighbouring domed portions (27) of the domed segment (22), which are each delimited by webs (23) and grooves (24) which are interconnected.
8. Drum according to claim 7, characterised in that the domed portions (27) are located higher, at least in some parts, than the star point (26), based on the plane (E) of the inside surface (19, 19a) of the drum casing.
9. Drum according to claim 1, characterised in that a further hole (25a) is arranged in each star point (26).
10. Drum according to claim 1, characterised in that the star point (26) is free from holes.
11. Drum (3) for a washing machine (1) having a suds container (2), in which the drum (3) can be rotatably mounted via a horizontal or inclined shaft (7), comprising a cylindrical casing (19) which is delimited by means of an end wall (20), the casing (19) comprising a structure made up of domes which face the inside of the drum and consist of individual domed segments (22), channel-like webs (23) being constructed between each pair of neighbouring segments, in which webs holes (25) are arranged to allow washing liquid to enter, characterised in that additional grooves (24) are formed in the respective domed regions in the domed segments (22), each extend to the corresponding segment edge (22a), starting from a star point (26) in the central region of the dome, and open into one of the channel-like webs (23), the star point (26) and the grooves (24) being located on the inside surface (19a) of the drum casing (19) in the same plane (E) as the channels (23) and, in addition, a further hole (25a) being arranged in the star point (26).
12. Drum according to either claim 1 or claim 11, characterised in that the segments (22) are configured as polygons and the grooves (24) open into corner points of the polygon (22), the holes (25) being arranged at the corner points of the polygons (22).
13. Drum according to claim 12, characterised in that the segments (22) are configured as hexagons which each comprise three grooves (24) extending to three corners of the segment (22), starting from the star point (26).
14. Drum according to claim 12, characterised in that the segments (22) are configured as hexagons which each comprise six grooves (24) extending to the six corners of the segment (22), starting from the star point (26).
15. Drum according to either claim 1 or claim 11, characterised in that the width of the channels (23) and of the grooves (24) is in the range of 0.5 to 3 mm.

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